Many Shenango Valley residents know that Mercer County winters can be pretty harsh.

Bitter cold, blowing snow, freezing rain and icy conditions are realities that many have come to expect and prepare for.

But for the less fortunate families in the area, this time of year is considerably harder, especially when it comes to staying warm.

Keeping children warm when temperatures drop has always been at the heart of the Koats for Kids program, and organizers are hoping again the year to provide warm coats for all the children who need them.

John Maynard, president and funeral director at Sample-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Sharon and Baird Funeral Home in Greenville, said the program began in 1992 as a way of helping families of Sharon Steel Corp. workers who had lost their jobs.

"We began seeing many kids walking to Sharon schools in windbreakers and sweatshirts," Maynard said. "When we began to investigate, we found that parents didn't have the money to buy coats because they'd lost their employment."

The program reached out to a few agencies and received positive feedback, he said. People donated coats that were too small for their children and agencies gave money.

The funeral home didn't deal with the money, Maynard said, but did act as a collection point.