Dubois County Koatz4Kidz scam warning

Organizers of the Koatz4Kids coats drive are warning area residents of a phone scam.

Andy Welsh, the local organizer of the annual coat drive, told WITZ Radio News someone is calling locals claiming to be from the Dubois County Coats for Kids annual campaign.

“We don’t want this to taint everything that’s been going on for the past 25 years,” explained Welsh. “I’ve been making calls, but I’ve only called maybe 8 or 10 different businesses and I’ve finished doing that for the most part.”

Welsh added, “If someone were to make a call from Koatz4Kids asking for money, it would be from me and me only.”

Several people have reported getting a call but we don’t know if anyone fell for the scam.

Koatz4Kidz is an annual program where local kids get donated coats for the harsh winter months.

“The looks on people’s faces when they walk in and see the room full of 1,200 – 1,300 coats and hats and gloves, scarfs. And all of this has been donated by this community,” Welsh says. “It’s open to anybody, whether you’re a kid from one to 92, as the song says, anyone who is in need of a hat, a coat or a scarf. Come out because this is for the community and there are no questions asked.”

The distribution day will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on  December 8th in the Precious Blood Gym.

Boxes will begin appearing in local businesses next week where you can drop off your donated coats.