Olivia Pierson was the little girl who asked her mother at the age of 7 to help her get coats for children so they wouldn’t be cold during the winter months.

Her mother agreed and the Warm Hearts Coat Clothing Drive was started.

Over the years, the donations have grown tremendously with more than 2,000 pieces given freely to local residents last year.

The variety of warm clothing has expanded from just coats, to all kinds of winter clothing, including scarves, mitten and gloves, sweaters, boots and shoes for children and adults.

Emma Darby stands next to the donation box at Liberty-Curtin Elementary School.

As a matter of fact, Pierson, now 16, wouldn’t have been able to keep the drive going without so many donations and the help of friends who have joined the cause, most notably fellow students Violet Lindsay and Avery Eckley, who joined the effort the second year.

All three girls were students at Liberty-Curtin Elementary School, where it all began.

Emma Darby, a student at Liberty-Curtin, joined the cause this year.

And Gwynnevere and Hunter Showers and Remington Ripka have been collecting donations for the past five years . They also help set up for the coat drive and help the day of the drive offering assistance to people looking for coats.

“Without their help there’s no way we could do. It’s grown so much,” Olivia’s mother, Kim Pierson, said.

from left, are Hunter Showers, Remington Ripka and Gwen Showers.

Collection boxes have been set up six locations for people to donate gently worn coats and other warm clothing. Summer clothing is not accepted.

The collection boxes are located at the following locations:

– Liberty-Curtin Elementary School.

– Rachel’s Dance Unlimited, 527 Sturdevant St., Lock Haven.

– Twinkle Toes Dance Studio, at the former Beech Creek Elementary School.

– Beech Creek Wesleyan Church, 217 Main St., Beech Creek.

– Avis United Methodist Church, 215 Prospect Ave., Avis.

– Brite Laundry Center, 950 Bellefonte Ave., Lock Haven.

The clothing will be given away, free, at the Salvation Army, 19 E. Church St., Lock Haven, on Saturday, Nov. 3. Hours are 9 to 11 a.m.

No questions will be asked.

Any clothing that is left after this event will be donated to “Pass It On,” who also provides clothing free of charge.

Olivia always wanted to keep the coats and clothing for people in the community and to give it away free, her mother said.