Dec 22, 2020 Hundreds of items collected in coat drive ELKHART â United Way of Elkhart & LaGrange Countiesâ annual coat drive has collected more than 750 coats for local schoolchildren and families in need. More than 500 childrenâs coats were given to local school systems, along with 500 hats that were knit by individuals incarcerated at the Elkhart County Jail, according to United Way officials in a recent news release. The remaining coats will be distributed by five local nonprofits, including ADEC, Elkhart County Clubhouse, Faith Mission, Goshen Interfaith Hospitality Network and the Window. âWe are so grateful to all of those who donated. Every year there are children that donât have the appropriate clothing to keep warm while waiting for the bus or walking to school,â Mona Livingston, organizer of the drive and director of community impact at United Way, said. âItâs become a United Way tradition to work with schools and shelters to make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors are ready for winter.â