Program Details
United Way Lakes and Prairie hosts the Warm Winter Wear Collection each fall to ensure families across our region have access to coats and cold-weather essentials at no cost. This program serves people living in Douglas, Otter Tail, Pope, Todd, and Wadena Counties.
The program begins with a community collection drive. Local businesses, service clubs, organizations, and community members donate gently used or new winter items. Items may be dropped off at designated collection sites or directly at United Way offices.
After collection, volunteers, partners, and United Way staff work together to sort, prepare, and distribute the donations. Families can then attend distribution events to select the coats and warm accessories they need for the season.
This effort is hosted every October and brings vital resources to those who need them most.
Continue reading to learn how you can donate winter items or help at distribution events.
Need Winter Wear
United Way’s Warm Winter Wear Collection ensures that everyone in our community has access to the cold-weather essentials they need.
There are no income guidelines or qualifications to participate. Individuals and families are welcome to attend and select items for themselves or their immediate family members. To ensure that supplies reach as many households as possible, we kindly request that you take only one of each item per person in your family.
No registration is required. Simply come to a distribution site and choose the items that best fit your family’s needs.
Distribution Dates and Locations
Details will be announced soon. Estimated distribution will begin in mid-October. Please check back for updates.
Personal Donations
We are collecting donations from September 29th to October 10th, 2025.
Donations of all sizes are needed! Gently used coats, hats, gloves, snowpants, scarves & boots are accepted. Please make sure items are warm, washed, and have working zippers. Drop off your donations at the United Way office during our collection period.
No late donations, please.
Hosting A Collection
Businesses and groups are welcome to host a Winter Wear Collection on behalf of United Way.
- Please use your own box or container to collect items
- Close your collection on or before October 9th, 2025
- Use the provided flyer to promote your event and hang it on your collection box
- Please plan to drop off all items on October 10th
Need Winter Wear
United Way’s Warm Winter Wear Collection ensures that everyone in our community has access to the cold-weather essentials they need.
There are no income guidelines or qualifications to participate. Individuals and families are welcome to attend and select items for themselves or their immediate family members. To ensure that supplies reach as many households as possible, we kindly request that you take only one of each item per person in your family.
No registration is required. Simply come to a distribution site and choose the items that best fit your family’s needs.
Distribution Dates & Locations
Details will be announced soon. Estimated distribution will begin in mid-October. Please check back for updates.
Hosting A Collection
Businesses, service clubs, and community groups are invited to host a Winter Wear Collection on behalf of United Way. By signing up through the form below, your organization will be added to our Collection Partnership list. We’ll provide follow-up communication on distribution dates and locations, along with the resources you need for a successful drive.
To make the process simple, here are a few key details about hosting a Warm Winter Collection:
- Please use your own box or container to collect donated items
- Close your collection on or before October 9, 2025
- Use the flyer provided to promote your drive and display on your collection box
- Plan to drop off all collected items on October 10, 2025
By joining as a collection partner, you’ll help ensure families across our region have the warm winter wear they need.
