Lisa Lotz hands two bags of coats to Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger, who organized a coats for kids event along with the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664 on Thursday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

The Sons and Daughters of Italy collected hundreds of coats Thursday, Dec. 8, which will be given to children this winter.

District Attorney Rich Goldinger said he came up with the idea to get more coats for the First United Methodist Church’s clothing closet.

“Originally I was going to do a food drive, but then you have to store it and keep it somewhere,” Goldinger said. “I think we’ll get around 500 coats.”

Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger, along with the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664, held a coats for kids event on Thursday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Charmaine Fetterman, event manager for the Sons and Daughters of Italy, said the members of the organization were happy to provide the space to have the collection, and also provide food for people who donated during the evening.

Members of the Sons and Daughters of Italy donated $500-worth of coats before the day of the collection event.

She also said that with the early success of the coat drive, that the Sons and Daughters of Italy may do more collection events like it in the coming years.

“I think we’re going to try to do this annually,” she said. “We’re going to try to find something the community needs and do it every year.”

Butler County District Attorney Rich Goldinger adds a coat to the pile that was already donated. The Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664 held a coats for kids event on Thursday evening. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

From left, Charmaine Fetterman and Rich Goldinger pause during the coats for kids event held Thursday evening with the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge 1664. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle