Faith Fellowship Church of Johnstown is sponsoring its annual "Gallons of Gloves" drive that includes the donation of winter outerwear that will be given to those in need.

"The last couple of years, we have been able to take hundreds of pairs of gloves and a lot of hats and coats to places that get these items into and onto the hands and heads of kids who need them," said Pastor Dan McLaughlin of Faith Fellowship.

"We also help supply area shelters and homeless missions in central Ohio an d we're told that these items are really appreciated," he said.

"That's what this is all about ... caring for others who need that extra little bit of help."

Faith Fellowship volunteer coordinators for the drive Monica Dever, Melissa Jackson and Madolyn Moreland are placing boxes throughout the Johnstown, Alexandria and Sunbury areas that will serve as collection points to place new and gently used hats, gloves, scarves and coats.

Dever said the boxes will be placed in the three villages this weekend.

"I'm a member of Faith Fellowship and our theme is 'Being Jesus with Skin On'," she said. "We want to do that and get coats, gloves, hats and scarves for the needy kids who don't have them."

The boxes will be clearly marked as a place for donations. Collection points include, but aren't limited to, the Monroe Township Fire Department, 24 S. Oregon St.; Staneart's Sunoco; The Hair and Care Cottage; and the offices of Don Summerfield, DDS, in Alexandria.

All items collected will be distributed to area children in need of these items, as well as to area agencies and shelters throughout central Ohio. The "Gallons of Gloves" drive will run through Jan. 1, 2010.

For more information, call the Faith Fellowship Offices at 740-967-0148 or e-mail.

mkuhlman@thisweeknews.com