Times Observer photo by Jessica N. Rex Pictured from left are siblings Trinity, Adalynn, Raleigh and Richard.

CLARENDON – The Tiona Global Methodist Church will be having its 15th annual “Coats for Kids” event on Saturday, Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Allegheny Valley Veterans Center in Clarendon.

Jim Houghtling provided some background information about the program. He said it really was a revelation from God, saying that something needed to be done for the children. It was proposed to the church council and they were 100% willing and so they ran with making it a reality since 2010. Children in the Sheffield attendance area are recommended to the program through a referral process, where information on the size and gender of the child(ren) in need is collected.

Next, several church members go to purchase the coats. From the very beginning, it was decided to provide ‘new coats only.’

“We do that for our own children and we should do no less for these children,” Houghtling said. .

Ladies from the church that enjoy knitting also contribute to the winter pile of hats, gloves, mittens and scarves where kids get to pick those out to match their coat. Houghtling said it’s a joy to watch the smiles of the children as they pick out their items.

“With winter coming along and Christmas, this helps to eliminate another thing that needs to be bought this time of year,” Houghtling said.

The Allegheny Veterans Center in Clarendon, housed in the former Allegheny Valley school building, opens its doors and accommodates the church group very well with having made coat racks, allowing storage space for the coats, and the veterans do much of the heavy set-up.