Community Connect event scheduled for Saturday

The event is free to those in need. 

Something for everyone.

That is how organizers of the fourth annual Putnam County Community Connect are describing Saturday's event, which will be held at Greencastle Christian Church, 620 Primrose Court, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

The free event allows those in the community an opportunity to learn more about and receive services, as there will be registration for the Christmas Giving Tree, Medicaid and Medicare navigators on hand, assistance with utilities, mental health and addiction professionals, job opportunities, Coats for Kids, health screenings, vaccinations, free underwear, free groceries, free haircuts and free lunch. 

Carrie Bolen, who is helping to head up the Coats for Kids distribution, said it is important for people who are in need to take part in the event. 

"We will provide Christmas signups, free haircuts and free resources to families in need. Families can come with their children and be fitted for a coat for the winter months. I cannot thank the residents and businesses of Putnam County that have allowed us to have collection boxes at their locations, advertised that they are collecting coats. At last count, we had 550 coats out of the 630 we are anticipating needing," Bolen told The Putnam County Post. 

Bolen said it is important to understand there is a much bigger need in Putnam County than may be known.

"I think there is a much bigger need in Putnam County than people realize. I know myself, I imagined there were families in need, but when I got that estimated number, I got overwhelmed and thought how in the world am I going to do that, but by goodness, we did it. We wouldn't have been able to do it without the community and the businesses," Bolen said. 

In addition, Bolen said it is important to know the event is free to those in need. 

"It will be at a new location this year, and for the coats, the child must be present so we can fit the child for the coat that they need. If a child comes and we are out of the size they need, we will take down the information and try our best to get a coat that is appropriate for the child and deliver it to the child's school," Bolen said. 

Anyone seeking more information is asked to email putcocommunityconnect@gmail.com.