Waukee Students Collect Outerwear in Winter Warmth Drive

If you have children, then you know how quickly they grow out of clothing. Seems if a coat fits one season, it will most certainly not fit the next.

That’s what gave Waukee dad Tim Gaynor a brilliant idea: why not pass on those outgrown coats, hats and mittens to someone who could use them? From that thought, the Winter Warmth Drive was born.

Now in its fourth year, the drive provides much-needed outerwear to families and children, in particular, to help protect them against cold wintry weather.

Starting in October, students from – elementary to high school – begin collecting gently used winter clothing like coats, jackets, hats, mittens, scarves and even blankets that will be distributed to kids in need.

“I love how we’re turning this drive into something where it’s kids helping kids," said Gaynor. “A majority of us in the western suburbs are very fortunate to have our needs met. This is one way those kids can take what they have and give to others who may not.”

Gaynor said students’ efforts have been far more successful than initially expected. Last year, the schools collected an estimated 2,500 items. This year, they’re doubling their goal to 5,000. 

Gaynor said there are currently eight agencies where items will be distributed once they have been collected. They include: Hawthorn Hill;  YESS; Freedom for Youth; the Rosebud Indian Reservation (Parmelee, S.D.); and Edmunds, Moulton, King and Monroe Elementary schools in Des Moines.

Matt Pries, the RAK (Rachel’s Ambassadors Klub) advisor at said the Winter Warmth Drive always seems to bring out the best in his students.

“One of the neatest things is to see the boxes fill up and know that it’s been a chain reaction of kindness,” he said. “It’s important that the kids see that. Many of them just really have such a heart for service. It’s second nature for them. They do projects and become more active all the time. That’s just who they are.”

The drive runs now through Oct. 21 for all schools except ; it drive runs through Nov. 4. Anyone wanting to donate gently used or even new items is encouraged to bring them to their child’s school and deposit them in one of the many collection boxes.