Kiwanis of Lake Tahoe distributes 500 coats to South Lake Tahoe children

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new, warm coat is something many take for granted each winter, but for a large group of South Lake Tahoe locals, that isn't always a possibility. The generosity of the Kiwanis of Lake Tahoe Club provided 500 coats and socks to local students over the past few weeks through its Coats for Kids programs.

Kiwanian Margie Kovarik-Maxhimer spearheads the program and works with Operation Warm, Costco, FedX, and other partners to get the coats at a good price and then free shipping to South Lake Tahoe.

Margie worked with all South Lake Tahoe schools to identify what was needed. Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District takes care of Zephyr Cove Elementary.

Getting the coats and socks purchased and delivered is one portion of the process, and then volunteers get together and sort the coats by size and distribute them at each elementary. This week was the final distribution at Bijou Community School.

In the photo above, left to right: Austin Stephens, Christy Slocum, Bob Harms, Don Borges, Velma Schnoll, Michelle Turner, Karen Houser, and Heather Orr.