Local Police Warm Up Holidays, Donate Coats

A coat drive spearheaded by a Crystal business and several local police agencies will bring warmth to hundreds of people this winter.

Standard Water Control Systems in Crystal sponsored the coat drive. The organizers say this is one of the largest coat drives they’ve ever held. Several police agencies answered the call, dropping off bags of winter gear. Osseo, New Hope, Crystal, Robbinsdale, Maple Grove, Dayton, Blaine, and Mounds View participated in the event.  They all did their part to load up a Salvation Army truck.

“This year I kind of went overboard and I emailed a lot of departments, and this year we got eight police departments involved in helping us,” said Todd Vreeland with Standard Water Control Systems.

“We’re all here just giving back to the people that maybe need coats for the winter because it’s so cold here in Minnesota. And we just love to be a part of our communities,” said Osseo Police Chief Shane Mikkelson.

The group collected about 1,200 coats so far. The warm gear will be distributed to the Salvation Army Harbor Lights Center. The Salvation Army describes the center as a homeless adult outreach facility. Its stated mission is to break the cycle of poverty. Its efforts include free hot meals, shelter, and other programs.

Crystal | Maple Grove | New Hope | Osseo | Robbinsdale