North Twp. covers needy

HIGHLAND | A steady stream of people waited in line Saturday morning outside the Wicker Memorial Park pavilion, for free lightly-used winter coats.

It's the second year North Township has done a mass winter coat giveaway, Trustee Frank J. Mrvan said. With all the coats donated by businesses and community groups, Mrvan said it helps free up funds to use toward other forms of poor relief.

"It's the community helping the township," Mrvan said.

Dave Kusiak, owner of Kusiak Construction, one of the coat drive's major sponsors, said the idea came about two years ago when he and his employees decided to give back to the community. He said last year, about 700 coats were donated. This year, he said, that number was closer to 1,000.

"Our goal is to get a few more each year," Kusiak said.

Churches, schools, Hammond neighborhood watch groups and BP employees all collected coats for the needy, with BP donating an additional $1,500 toward the effort.

Mrvan said everyone who showed up Saturday morning was allowed one coat per member of the household. He said any coats remaining at the end of the day will be stored and given to clients as the winter progresses.