It is not too far away, cold blowing winds and snow, the winter season is just around the corner. Dakotas Conference ministries are reaching out to those in need of a warm coat this winter in Watford City, North Dakota and in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

Bakken Oil Rush Ministry coat giveaway

There was terrific weather on October 22nd in Watford City, ND for the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry coat giveaway. There were 53 people in line waiting at 2 p.m.  to pick out winter coats. Jim and Kathie Konsor and a group of volunteers registered 192 families/individuals. The group gave away 371 coats. Photo: People line up for coats in Watford City. Photo courtesy of Jim and Kathie Konsor.

"They were a lot of grateful people receiving coats for themselves and their families," said Jim Konsor, Bakken Oil Rush Ministry. "We had a youth group from Legacy church in Bismarck that came to help us with the event. They did a wonderful job of helping people find the coats they needed."

Local volunteers were also on hand to help with the coat giveaway.  "We also had a great group of local volunteers that helped with setup, registering folks and teardown," said Kathie Konsor, Bakken Oil Rush Ministry. "We are so blessed to have the wonderful help that we do."

Tuesday, November 3rd, from 5 to 7 pm, the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry will be open, to give coats to those who didn’t receive one on the 22nd. "We will also have caps, gloves, hoodies, boots and snowpants available," said the Konsors. "We want folks to be as ready as possible for the winter we know is almost upon us. Thanks to all of you who pray, donate time and money to make this ministry possible and effective!" 

Photo from Jim Konsor. Bismarck Legacy UMC youth with donated coats.

Click here to learn more about the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry

Coats for kids and other folks in Aberdeen

Five businesses, three United Methodist Churches, and employees from two businesses collected coats to keep people warm this winter in Aberdeen, SD. North Highland UMC was the site where over 400 coats were distributed on Saturday, October 31. Over half of the recipients were kids.

Snowpants were also part of the give away thanks to a grant from Dakotas Conference Missional Impact Link.  Grant money allowed for the purchase of 100 pair of snowpants. When the temperatures drop  and the snow falls in Aberdeen, elementary-age children cannot go out for recess at school unless they have snowpants on.

Many children and their families were grateful for the opportunity to be fitted and receive a new pair of snowpants. In order to reach children that may not have snowpants a counselor at a high needs elementary school was contacted.  The counselor spread the word to families through the school newsletter. Photo courtesy North Highland UMC.

"This year we had wider community involvement, " said Pastor Lou Whitmer. "We had people come and help that did not attend our church. In addition, we had five businesses that served as collection points for coats and two businesses that collected coats from employees."

Warm bodies, warm spirits and thankful hearts were evident at both Watford City and Aberdeen, thanks to the Bakken Oil Rush Ministry and Aberdeen North Highland UMC.