Among her other duties, she was in charge of keeping the line of cars that stretched around the corner for the drive-up style event moving.

“If I don’t wave my arm, they don’t know to move up,” she said.

This was Crosby’s third year helping. Almost all the volunteers Saturday were either Community Health Center staff or family members of staff.

That included Crosby’s daughter, Amelia Crosby, 8.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Dr. Lisa Chase helps fill orders Saturday morning during the annual Coats for Kids distribution at the Community Health Center of Fort Dodge.

The younger Crosby had a clipboard, pen and lots of forms that she would fill out.

“I ask people whether it’s for a boy or girl, what age and what size,” she said proudly.

She was having lots of fun.

“I like that you can help out kids that don’t have money,” she said.

One of the cars Crosby visited belonged to Jamie Roby, of Fort Dodge. Roby was getting coats for her six grandchildren. They range in age from 5 to 15.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Amelia Crosby, 8, gets a hug from Community Health Center Chief Operating Officer Colleen Miller Saturday morning while helping out with the annual Coats for Kids distribution.

“This is a blessing,” Roby said. “I’m on a fixed income. This was a tremendous burden lifted off of us.”

They received more than just coats.

“They even gave us hats and gloves,” she said.

The only questions asked are size, age and gender. This makes the program accessible to anyone who’s family needs coats.

“This community is great,” Roby said. “They came together and helped those of us that need it.”

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Angela Crosby, mental health therapist at the Community Health Center, stops to visit with a family Saturday morning to see what size coats they'll need during the annual Coats for Kids distribution.

Dr. Lisa Chase was on hand to help out too. She normally spends her week tending to patients, but on Saturday she was putting coat orders together.

It’s rewarding for her.

“Seeing the kids’ faces is just priceless,” Chase said. “Seeing parents in tears is very touching.”

Roby was among those.

“They’re tears of happiness.” Roby said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
It wasn’t just coats that were given away. Snow boots, hats and gloves were also available for the children Saturday during Coats for Kids.

Coats for Kids is a joint venture of Shimkat Motor Co. and the Community Health Center. Shimkat Motors is the primary collection point. About 140 coats had already been given away to children in the school district or through other organizations. The program was started 14 years ago by Lisa Shimkat, a Fort Dodge Community School board member.

It’s, of course, also fun.

“This lets my inner child come out and play,” Angela Crosby said.