Locals are looking to keep Sequim youths warm this winter, and they’re seeking your help.

Volunteers with Coats for Kids, a program established in 1996 by Sequim Elks Lodge No. 2642 to gather new coats and shoes for local children through all school districts and children’s programs in Clallam County, are asking the community for donations of new coats and shoes or monetary donations. They can be dropped off at the Sequim QFC, 990 E. Washington St., between Thursday, Dec. 20, and Monday, Dec. 31.

Checks may be made out to “Coats For Kids.”

Established by Denny Kuhnhausen and other helpful hands at Sequim Elks Lodge, the Coats for Kids program marked a milestone in October with distribution of its 5,000th coat certificate.

Coats and shoes are often some of the more expensive parts of a child’s wardrobe, Kuhnhausen said.

“We found that in many cases with the children whom we have helped, it was a wonderful experience for them to get something new,” he said.

For more information about the program, email to sequimcfk96@yahoo.com.