At least 25 more Orcas Island children will have new winter coats this year, thanks to an ongoing program sponsored by employees of Island Hospital of Anacortes, with contributions of $1,000 from the Orcas Medical Center staff and Orcas Medical Foundation members.

The new coats were delivered to the Orcas Family Connections resource center on Dec. 2, said center director Erin O’Dell.

“These coats are going to families in need, with children who did not receive one of the many winter coats donated earlier this year by Island Hardware and Supply,” said O’Dell. “So many families are in need right now. This additional program came along at just the right time.”

According to Orcas Medical Center practice administrator Alison Shaw, the Island Hospital program has been operating successfully in Anacortes for several years.

“The systems are all in place,” she said, “Now, through our Orcas Medical Center affiliation with Island Hospital, our personal contributions go further and we are able to bring the program to Orcas. Erin and the Family Resource Center make sure that the coats get to Orcas families and children who need them.”

O’Dell said community connections helped identify local kids in need of coats.

“Through local pastors, the school counselor and our family resource center, we were able to identify and contact families in advance,” she said. “We listed each child’s color and style preference. Then, using our list, Island Hospital employees and volunteers did all of the coat shopping.”