The Salvation Army is beginning it’s annual coat drive in the hope of providing warm coats for people in the community who would otherwise endure the winter cold.

This year's program got a jump start at the end of September with a huge collection of coats collected by the Bit & Briddle group from the local 4-H. According to Lisa Arbogast of the 4-H more than 600 coats were collected at the fall horse show in Lexington, Virginia. Many 4-H groups brought new and gently worn coats to fill a brand new horse trailer at the event.

The Salvation Army hopes to continue the drive with the collection with in the community. The Harrisonburg Salvation Army is partnering with Classic Cleaners on Neff Avenue, the employees of the Wal-Mart Distribution Center and all Park View Federal Credit Union locations to make this a warmer winter for children, and adults in Harrisonburg/ Rockingham County.

Bring your new or gently used coats to Classic Cleaners on Neff Avenue or the Salvation Army on Ashby Avenue. You can also being them to the Park View Federal Credit Union locations on Virginia Avenue, at the VMRC, in Dayton and in Broadway.

For more information on the drive, call (540) 434-4854. The coat collection will continue through the new year.