Coats will be distributed Jan. 23-24 in the Black Top Lounge.

Members of the Back Mountain Police Association placed collection boxes at participating businesses in their Back Mountain and West Side communities to collect donated items and also held three collection drives at Thomas’ Family Markets in Shavertown. Family members can select a coat and matching gloves and hats for their children from among more than 100 winter jackets and accessories at Misericordia University’s Black Top Lounge, located behind Alumnae and McGowan halls on campus. Visitors should enter campus through the main archway gate on Lake Street.

Misericordia University students and members of the Back Mountain Police Association will sort through and organize the winter garments to make it easier for families and children to find their proper sizes. Representatives from regional social service agencies who know of children in need of winter jacks are also invited to select items at the annual event.

For more information about the Back Mountain Police Association’s “Warm Coats for Kids’’ at Misericordia University, please contact Ross Piazza, deputy waterways conservation officer of the state Fish and Boat Commission, at 760-9342. The Back Mountain Police Association includes officers from the Back Mountain and West Side municipal police departments, including the state Fish and Boat Commission, state Game Commission and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Kingston Township Police Officer Martin C. Maransky is president and Piazza is vice president of the Back Mountain Police Association.

The Back Mountain Police Association has been serving and supporting law enforcement departments in the Back Mountain and West Side communities for more than 50 years.

Photo Caption:

The Back Mountain Police Association’s first annual “Warm Coats for Kids’’ at Misericordia University is being held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizing the event at Misericordia, from left, are Michael A. MacDowell, president, Misericordia University; Sister Jean Messaros, vice president, student affairs; Ross Piazza, deputy waterways conservation officer of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and Kingston Township Police Officer Martin C. Maransky.