"Operation Overcoat" clothing drive enters final week
Clothing, hygiene items and donations needed to help Portland's needy

Portland, OR- Union Gospel Mission's "Operation Overcoat" is entering its final week, as the fall clothing drive is capped off with a special "Operation Overcoat" event day on Saturday, September 27. At the event, thousands of articles of clothing will be distributed and a barbeque meal will be served. NW Third Ave., between Burnside and Couch Streets will be shut down during the event as clothing tents, food service area, and a stage for music will be set up, and the Northwest Medical Teams mobile dental van will also be on hand to provide free dental services.

Clothing, hygiene items and cash donations are still needed to support the "Operation Overcoat" event. Clothing and hygiene items may be dropped off at donation barrels at greater Portland area Christian Supply stores and Standard TV and Appliance stores. Donations are accepted online at www.ugmportland.com. For more information on donating or volunteering at "Operation Overcoat" contact Union Gospel Mission at 503-274-4483.

One of the unique aspects of the "Operation Overcoat" event is that most of the hard work to make the event happen is done by recovering addicts in Union Gospel Mission's "LifeChange" recovery community. One of the leaders in the LifeChange recovery community is David Willis. This will be the third "Operation Overcoat" that David has been involved with.

"What is great about events like 'Operation Overcoat' is that we get a chance to help someone who is struggling. I think everyone in LifeChange learns something by not just being on the receiving end of the helping hand, but also being able to extend a helping hand to others. I've been in LifeChange for more than three years after many years of addiction- starting from age 16 to my late 40s. I think being here proves that someone can change and that there are second chances," said David.

About Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission has been "feeding the hungry and restoring the addict" since 1927. Union Gospel Mission provides meals for the homeless and needy and provides LifeChange, a long-term addiction recovery community. In LifeChange, residents live and work at Union Gospel Mission for two to four years and learn to overcome addiction and build new lives. For more information about Union Gospel Mission and LifeChange contact 503-274-4483, or visit online at www.ugmportland.com.