Layers of Love aims to keep the less fortunate warm from head to toe

OMAHA, Neb. — When the temperatures drop, many start bundling up. But for the marginalized community in the local area, that's easier said than done.

If you're seeing Salvation Army bundles across a number of local CHI Health Clinics, it's for good reason. The Salvation Army and CHI Health are teaming up for another year of Layers of Love.

"It is indeed exactly what the program states, it's layers of love that members of our community come together to help our marginalized neighbors stay warm," Salvation Army city coordinator Major Adam Moore said.

Ten local CHI Health Clinics will serve as donation spots this week during regular office hours. They will collect warm clothing items like coats, socks, gloves, winter hats and scarves.

"So our goal over the next several days is to collect about 12 to 14 thousand pieces of clothing and warm goods," Major Moore said.

The donations will then distributed by Salvation Army's Winter Night Watch program to locations all over the metro including shelters.

Keeping the community warm is especially important during freezing cold temperatures.

Especially right now, it's cold and flu season so having coats and being properly bundled up is beneficial because it'll prevent patients from having to come in. Those unexpected bills of having to come in for a visit," CHI Health representative Brittney Kelly said.

Last year CHI Health had only one drop off location and were completely overwhelmed by the amount of donations and support from the community.

"They had an influx of coats. They said they had them in barrels and they had to roll them out," Kelly said.

With ten locations this year, Layers of Love hopes to deliver warm clothes and a warm meal to as many individuals as possible.

"One of the things that I know about Omaha is our neighbors are always making an investment in others. That makes my heart very happy to know that whenever we ask of this community, they rise to the occasion," Major Moore said.

Donations will be accepted until December 6, 2019.

CHI Health Clinic collection sites are:

· 42^nd and L (4220 L Street, Suite 100, Omaha)

· 161^st and West Maple (16101 Evans Street, Omaha)

· Bellevue Clinic (3308 Samson Way, Bellevue)

· Immanuel Hospital, 6901 North 72^nd Street, Omaha)

· La Vista Clinic (8248 South 96^th Street, La Vista)

· Lakeside Hospital (16901 Lakeside Hills Court, Omaha)

· Midlands Hospital (11111 South 84^th Street, Papillion)

· University Campus, 2412 Cuming, Omaha)

· Valley View Clinic (1288 Valley View Drive, Council Bluffs)

· West Broadway (3135 West Broadway, Council Bluffs)