A nip in the air Saturday morning is a reminder of the cold temperatures soon to come, and the need to bundle up.

Free coats, jackets and hoodies of all sizes are available today during the annual Hays coat drive.

At 9a.m.about 1,600 pieces of outdoor wear were wheeled to the driveways of Top Notch Cleaners and Master Cleaners in downtown Hays.

“All the coats are donated by the public, we clean them,  make minor repairs, and then they’re given away to anybody who needs one,” according to Amy Smith at Top Notch.

Some of the children’s coats never made it out the door.  “Saint Francis Community Services stopped in Friday and picked out coats for their kids in the foster care program,” says Smith, “and on Wednesday, Judge Doug Bigge in Rooks County got coats to be distributed to children and adults who need them.”

The free coats are available until 2 o’clock this afternoon, or until they’re all gone.