Winter Gear Drive 2024 has now concluded.
We send our heartfelt thanks to our donors and drop box hosts for supporting the Winter Gear Drive! We couldn't run this program without your support. Thank you!
Please visit this page in the fall for our 2025 events!
Are you a social worker or human service provider and have a family you'd like to refer to us? For a direct referral, please click here and fill out the form. One of our staff members will contact you as soon as possible regarding your request. If you need to reach somebody immediately, please call our office at 507-373-8670, or to access other resources, call the United Way's 211 line. Thank you
Plymouth Shoe Store
129 S. Broadway Ave.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Trinity Lutheran Church
501 S. Washington Ave.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
First Lutheran Church
140 3rd Avenue SW
Glenville, MN 56036
Hubbard Agency
1643 W. Main St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Electric Beach Tanning Salon
2412 Bridge Ave.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Shoe Sensation
2339 Leland Dr.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
10,000 Custom Designs
32439 775th Ave.
Ellendale, MN 56007
Arcadian Bank
1452 W. Main St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Arcadian Bank
601 N. Broadway
Hartland, MN
Alpha Orthodontics
1651 W. Main St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
United Preschool
702 Highway 69 South
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Robert Hoffman Realty
223 E. William Street
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Cento Wood-Fire Pizzeria and Café
201 S. Broadway Avenue
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Freeborn Mower Electric Cooperative
3366 Bridge Avenue
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Children’s Place
605 James Avenue
Albert Lea, MN 56007
St. John’s – Fountain Lake Campus
1861 Eagle View Circle
Albert Lea, MN 56007
St. John’s – Luther Place Campus
901 Luther Place
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Hy-Vee
2708 Bridge Ave.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
The YMCA
2021 W. Main St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
St. Theodore’s
315 E. Clark St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Mayo Clinic Health Systems
404 W. Fountain St.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Accentra Credit Union
1619 Blake Ave.
Albert Lea, MN 56007
Providing warm clothing as protection from the elements is a basic need.
United way of Freeborn County has hosted a Winter Gear Drive on an annual basis for several years. The program originated with the Freeborn County Multi-Disciplinary Team to provide winter gear to children only. In 2019, the Winter Gear Drive significantly expanded its model to provide coats for all community members in need. The resulting current model is a two-pronged approach to ensure the greatest impact on our community.
Approach 1: United Way staff work directly with school social workers and other area human service providers. Staff will deliver coats directly to the school or agency requesting the items, often filling a need before the person in need leaves for the day. This service is available year-round but ramps up in September and October as school staff get to know students and their needs.
Approach 2: Community distribution dates are open several dates between the months of October-December. Community members are invited to shop for themselves and their families, giving the opportunity to have dignity and empowerment of choice.