For the Reporter
Auburn First United Methodist Church (AFUMC) is accepting donations for its first Warm Coats and Socks Drive, now through Dec. 16.
AFUMC is partnering with Project Hope, a homeless ministry already serving at the church, and local Auburn dental offices to collect coats and socks for those in need.
The campaign’s goal is to keep Auburn’s homeless safe and warm by donating clean and gently used socks and coats. The community is being encouraged to look through their closets to see if they have coats that their family never use. The coats and socks will go to homeless individuals who might not have a coat at all this winter.
“We all dread the cold, rainy, and snowy weather that winter brings here in the great Northwest. Can you imagine trekking through that weather without a coat or even warm socks? Many in our community go without these necessities every day,” said Judy Bluhm, longtime AFUMC member who initiated and oversees the campaign.
Monetary donations to the Warm Coats and Socks Drive are welcomed and encouraged. Donations will go toward the purchase of socks and other personal hygiene products.
Local dental offices are welcome to participate in the drive.
Volunteers will be collecting newly purchased socks at Fred Meyers, 801 Auburn Way, inside its front entrance during the store’s Day after Thanksgiving sale from 7 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. on Friday. Fred Meyers will be selling socks for 50 percent off until 1 p.m
For more information, please contact Judy Bluhm at jbluhm@comcast.net, or 253-334-4551.
Dropoff locations for coats and socks:
• Dr. Ryan and Kim Anardi
1320 8th St. NE.
Monday-Wednesday, 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2-5 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Dr. Jeffrey Rogers/Dr. Joseph Haynes
925 E. Main St.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Dr. Heather Woloshyn Orthodontics
1314 8th St. NE
Tuesday-Friday, 7 a.m.-noon, 1-4 p.m.
• Simply Smiles
Dr. Stuart Rich & Associates
1348 8th St. NE
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Lakeland Hills Dental Care
Grant Lo, DDS
1620 Lake Tapps Parkway SE, No. 130
Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Monday, Dec. 13
Donations may also be delivered directly to:
• Auburn First United Methodist Church
100 N. St. SE
Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-noon
