'Leave A Coat' Racks Pop Up In Tri-Cities

GENEVA, IL — A St. Charles woman has spearheaded an effort to get more coats into the hands of those who need them this winter. The first “Need a Coat, Leave a Coat” rack was put up outside Wet Nose at the Geneva Commons earlier this month and there are also similar racks at St. Charles Family Dentistry, Tri-City Health Partnership, and Orange Theory in St. Charles, Sara Jane Paris told Patch.

The concept is simple: If you need a coat, you should take one. And if you can leave one, you should do that. There is also a bin for hats, gloves mittens and scarves outside the locations hosting the racks.

Paris got the idea for the coat racks while visiting Europe and New Zealand where similar racks could be found outside businesses. She said all walks of life could be in need of a coat this winter for a variety of reasons.

“The homeless, of course, or a student with not much to spare, single parents or construction workers needing layers,” Parris said. She added the elderly or those without much disposable income due to medical bills also may not be able to afford a new coat.

She said the new coat racks have had an overwhelming response and she is hoping to partner with businesses in Aurora, West Chicago and Elgin to bring more racks to the area. From there, she would like to see “Need a Coat, Leave a Coat” racks in Rockford and Chicago.