FARMINGTON -- Children discovered how their simple act of sharing could make a difference in their community.

Sweatt-Winter Early Care and Education Program students delivered mittens, gloves, hats, and other winter clothing to the Old South Church Coat Closet on Friday for the church's Coats for Kids project.

Director Dawn Brod led a caravan of wagons pulled by the 28 children, staff members and volunteers across Main Street in Farmington to the Old South Church Coat Closet.

For the past month, the youngsters had collected their outgrown and usable warm winter items for the trek to the church.

"We use the winter item collection as a learning opportunity for the children," Brod said. "They discuss the importance of helping others by sharing their outgrown items and enhance their math skills by sorting and grouping the coats, and making charts and graphs of the different types of items."

Beth Hatcher, University of Maine at Farmington assistant professor of early childhood education and campus liaison to the children's program, joined the gathering at the church.

"By collecting and delivering the coats themselves, these young children will learn firsthand the importance of sharing our resources with others," Hatcher said.

Sueli Gaewsky and Lynda Giard, church-community liaisons, said they would welcome additional donations of winter clothing for children and adults.

The church began the community outreach program four years ago by delivering Thanksgiving baskets. They began the coat closet with help from their youth group, and they have been delivering the clothing for distribution through the Fairbanks food pantry for three years.

"We especially need larger-sized adult clothing," Giard said. "We hope people will remember us when they go through their closets."

On Monday, the winter items will be distributed during the Care and Share Food Pantry Thanksgiving Basket distribution in Fairbanks.

The Old South Church Coat Closet is open to the public for monthly community luncheons on the second Saturday of each month. Gaewsky and Giard can be reached at 778-0474.