Thanksgiving is a time to be grateful, but members of Vicksburg’s Knights of Columbus Council 898 said this week is also about giving others a reason to be thankful. With that in mind, the local Knights chapter is donating 96 winter coats to local organizations as part of its annual Coats for Kids project.

“The Knights of Columbus do this all around the country,” Grand Knight Conrad Rabalais said. “So, we got involved last year and we did 48 coats. This year we’re doing 96 coats. But in some of the larger cities, they’ll literally have an 18-wheeler loaded full.”

Rabalais said this year’s Coats for Kids project split the donation of nearly 100 winter coats between three local organizations: Haven House Family Shelter, Inc., the Warren County Children’s Shelter and Lifting Lives Ministries. 

Daniel Wilson, director of the Warren County Children’s Shelter, said the coats are an important part of what his organization gives out to those in their care.

“Any kid that came in without a jacket or a coat got one, even if they weren’t using it while they were with us,” he said. “They may only have a duffle bag full of stuff when they come in to us, so one of things we’re doing is making sure we give them one of these coats.”

Dr. Christine Bridges, director of Haven House Family Shelter, said the donation is a substantial boost for their efforts as well.

“We receive a lot of individuals that come in with no clothes,” she said. “They’re coming with only what they have. We’re grateful for (the Knights of Columbus) being able to do this for us. It gives people a sense of belonging and sometimes coats are kind of like security blankets. So, we’re grateful for this. With the Mississippi changing weather, you’re always going to need coats.”

For those in need, Haven House Family Shelter can be reached by phone at 601-638-0555; Warren County Children’s Shelter can be reached at 601-634-0640; and Lifting Lives Ministries can be reached at 601-529-6140.