North Central Community Care Partnership Coalition, a local 501c3 non-profit organization whose fiscal agent is North Central District Health Department, successfully concluded its second annual winter coat drive, spreading warmth to local schools in need. Four area schools actively participated in the initiative, facilitated by the collaborative efforts of dedicated coalition partners.

Val Wecker, representing Avera St. Anthony's, Bob Thomas from Building Blocks, Tonya Hytrek of CASA, and Linda Olson with Bright Horizons, joined forces to make a meaningful impact within the community. Together, they played a pivotal role in organizing and delivering more than 40 coats to students in need.

The winter coat drive, a testament to the coalition's commitment to community well-being, aimed to provide warmth and support to children during the colder months. Participating schools, recognizing the significance of this initiative, worked in tandem with the NCCCP to identify students who would benefit the most from the generous donations.

"We believe in the power of community collaboration, and the winter coat drive is a tangible expression of our shared commitment to support local families," expressed Kelli Dempster, substance abuse prevention coordinator at NCDHD.

The coalition's diverse partnerships exemplify the collective impact that can be achieved when various organizations unite for the greater good. Each partner played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the initiative, from coordinating logistics to hand-delivering coats to schools in need. NCCCP consists of the following organizations and individuals: NCDHD, Building Blocks, Region 4 Behavioral Health Systems, Holt/Boyd Collaborative, O'Neill Avera St. Anthony's, CHI Plainview Hospital, Bright Horizons, CASA, Veteran Affairs, Doug Fox, Carol Plate and Veta Hungerford.

The NCCCP/ASAP Coalition's second annual winter coat drive stands as a heartwarming reminder of the community's capacity to make a positive difference in the lives of its residents. The coalition looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to address the needs of the community in collaborative and impactful ways. A local business made a generous donation to NCCCP to use for the community's health and wellness.