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10 Thursday, October 31, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com

See GIVEAWAY on 11

COAT

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GET TICKETS!

269.963.1911 ext. 2586

BattleCreekSymphony.org

Thank You Sponsors!

The Battle Creek Symphony presents a multimedia

tribute to America’s servicemen and servicewomen. This

heartfelt concert includes patriotic music performed by

the Symphony and local choirs, set against a slideshow

featuring photos of local veterans.

The Battle Creek

Symphony presents

Saturday,

Nov. 2, 2024

7:30 pm @ WK Kellogg Auditorium

American

veteran

that’s our priority,” said Charitable

Union CEO Teresa Allen.

Besides the winter coats and gear

giveaway, parents also received

information about local issues and

events that could benefit their fami-

lies, including GSRP open slots, new

gun laws in effect (also translated

into Spanish and Burmese) and gun

locks through a partnership with the

Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office.

Anyone who has a Medicaid,

WIC or Bridge Card is eligible for

Charitable Union Services. Family

members/parents/guardians had to

register for the event beforehand.

“It was busy the entire time,” said

Allen. “People were steadily coming

in each day.”

For anybody who missed this

event, said Allen, eligible people can

get children and adult winter coats at

the Charitable Union free store (

Calhoun St., Battle Creek) beginning

on Monday, Nov. 4.

Allen says to be sure to show up

with a photo ID, Medicaid, WIC or

Bridge card.

“BE sure to bring those wit you as

well as you patience,” said Allen.

“The line will be long.”

The store is open every Monday,

Tuesday and Wednesday (9 a.m. to 4

p.m.) and the second Saturday of the

Winter coats not taken from the Oct. 22-24 event will be available at the

Charitable Union Free Store beginning on Nov. 4. Photo by John Hendler.

month (9 a.m. to noon).

Despite the huge turnout Oct.

22-24, hundreds of items were not

claimed.

All items were hauled over to the

church thanks to a church parishio-

ner who rented a U-Haul truck, said

Allen.

“We made four trips with that

15-foot truck,” said Allen. “And we

took all the stuff that didn’t get taken

back to our store.”

Charitable Union collects all types

of clothing and everyday household

items year-round.

Besides the winter coat event,

Charitable Union also has a prom

dress giveaway each spring and a

back-to-school clothing event in late

summer.

“We put together kits Kits for

homeless individuals and also

have diapers and baby formula, for

example,” said Allen. “We want

your old sunglasses, your old cof-

feemaker, toaster, basically anything

you may have used today. When

someone moves out of a shelter and

into housing, they start with nothing.

They need support from someone

like us. So, let us do the heavy lift-

ing and collect your old items which

allow those people to start with some

things.”