Coast Guard to begin blanket, coat drive

JUNEAU - The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Liberty is scheduled to begin its Annual Southeast Alaska Blanket, Coat and New Toy Drive on Friday in an effort to collect donated items that will be provided to villages throughout Southeast Alaska. The community outreach drive runs through Dec. 7.

The Coast Guard will place bins provided by Taku Fisheries throughout the city at Safeway, Super Bear Supermarket, Fred Meyer, Costco, Wal-Mart, Alaskan & Proud Co. and the Juneau Federal Building.

Following the collection period, Alaska Laundry and Dry Cleaners is donating their time and equipment to fully clean all the items donated. Les Schwab Tire Center is providing 300 heavy-duty tire bags to keep the donated items dry during delivery.

"Spearheading the Annual Blanket, Coat and New Toy Drive is our way of giving back to Southeast Alaskans who have welcomed Liberty and it's crew into their communities for nearly twenty years," said Lt. Brian J. Tesson, commanding officer of the Liberty. "Together as citizens and coastguardsman this holiday season, we can continue to build that unique sense of community that Alaskans enjoy."

The crew of the Liberty will then make deliveries of the donated items to the communities of Hoonah, Angoon, Kake, Pelican and Elfin Cove between Dec. 13-18.