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By TANNER MAWHIRTER
Tiger Media Network
Master Cleaners in Hays is once again giving back to the community this weekend by distributing coats from its annual coat drive. Leading up to this weekend, Master Cleaners accepted donations of all coats, no matter how dirty or torn they were, and repaired and cleaned them as needed. Donations ended Wednesday, October 14, but the day to collect a new coat is tomorrow.
Ryan Gottschalk, the owner of Master Cleaners, gave a quick summary of the coat drive and its background.
“Norman Mermis started the coat drive about 25 years ago, and it grew so fast that we partnered with him to help,” he said. “This year we partnered with 27th & Hall Laundromat, Casual Graphics, Eagle Radio, Kiwanis Club of Hays, and the Methodist Church.”
It is not just coats that Master Cleaners plans to give away; they also accepted several items to give back, newer and cleaner, to help the community.
“We take all coats, from heavy coats to light jackets and sweatshirts,” Gottschalk said. “We also take hats, gloves and scarves. They can be new or used. When coats are donated, we clean them and do minor repairs if needed.
The scale of donations allows Master Cleaners to serve a large number of individuals who need winter attire. Gottschalk said they usually collect between 1,500 and 2,000 coats a year.
It should be noted that the collections are “No questions asked,” and anyone can go in and collect a coat and other accessories to keep warm for the winter without paying a penny.
“We put all the coats, hats, gloves and scarves in front of the cleaners and anyone who needs a coat can just take what they want,” Gottschalk said. “It is open to everyone.”
The drive will take place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Master Cleaners at 200 W. 8th Street in Hays.
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