By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Steve Keiser wasn’t going to sit back and do nothing.
Dropping his daughter off at school one day, he saw a small girl with nothing but a T-shirt to keep her warm against the cold, biting wind of an Indiana winter.

“It just broke my heart,” Keiser said.  “I was dropping my daughter off to school and when I thought of how much we’ve been blessed in contrast to that small, shivering child — I knew I had to do something.”
That was 11 years ago, and since then Keiser and others around the community that are part of Warm Up Marshall County have made sure to do what they can to give kids a coat for winter. Residents have stepped up to meet the need of those around the area who may face winter without the basic necessity of a winter coat. The need has never been greater than it is in this economic climate.
Warm Up Marshall County kicked off its coat drive with drop-off points  at Oliver Ford, Price’s Village Valet Cleaners and the Pilot News. Distribution will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Plymouth.
Warm Up Marshall County encourages those who are able to do so to donate gently used coats, to be distributed to residents of Marshall County. Supported in his efforts by his employer, Oliver Ford Lincoln Mercury of Plymouth, Keiser called on other community leaders to add their influence to the drive. Price’s Village Valet Cleaners steps up each year to clean the donated coats. Kabelin’s Ace Hardware provides a pair of mittens or gloves to accompany each coat collected.The employees of J.C. Penney traditionally kick off the drive with the donation of new coats that they purchase each year. The National Guard Armory donates their facility to make distribution convenient and local media partners WTCA-AM 1050 and the Pilot News support the efforts by promoting the collection and distribution via their various avenues.
Anyone interested in making a donation can contact Steve Keiser at Oliver Ford, 574-935-1001, for information.