Share the Warmth bundles up record

Coat distribution this weekend

Scott Shmalberg, president of Scotch Industries, checks out some of the record number 3,700 coats Monday that will be given out for the Share the Warmth program this weekend. The Salvation Army will handle the distribution at space No. 119 at the I-70 Business Center in North Lawrence.

Scotch Fabric Care’s 23rd annual Share the Warmth program has wrapped up, with a record number of donations.

Scotch received 600 more coats than last year, and they’ve all been cleaned.

“We collected more than 3,700 coats, which is actually a record for our Lawrence operation,” said Scott Shmalberg, president of Scotch Industries.

The Salvation Army of Douglas County will now supervise the coat giveaway this weekend. Anyone in need can stop by the I-70 Business Center, space No. 119, to pick out a coat. The temporary storefront will be open from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Shmalberg said he’s thrilled for all the donations because so many people need coats this year.

“These coats will be put to good use here in the community,” Shmalberg said, “and we’ll find a home for all of them.”