Cornerstone Baptist Church of Dixon is hosting its first Winter Coat Drive and giveaway this month as part of an effort to provide warm clothing to residents ahead of colder weather. Senior Pastor Mike Bates (right) and his wife Stephanie Bates are happy to support the community.

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Cornerstone Baptist Church of Dixon is hosting its first Winter Coat Drive and giveaway this month as part of an effort to provide warm clothing to residents ahead of colder weather. The giveaway is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13 at the church, 185 W. Cherry St.

Donations were accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 7. Organizers are seeking new or clean/gently-used coats in adult and children’s sizes. Those unable to make the drop-off times may call 707-678-5234 to arrange a delivery.

Pastor Mike Bates said the idea for the drive emerged after the church’s long-standing partnership with Toys for Tots ended. 

“This is our first year trying this out,” said Bates. “We used to work with Toys for Tots, but when that went away, there was a hole. We decided that the community needed support, especially around this time of year. We wanted to offer something tangible.”

The church also hosts a clothing closet in which community members are given access twice a month. They also have a food drive with multiple barrels of food already collected.

Bates, who became senior pastor in 2022, said the church coordinated with Dixon Family Services (DFS) before launching the project. 

“When I spoke with Cookie Powell (Executive Director of DFS), she said there’s really a need for coats, so we took it as a sign we need to do this,” said Bates. “We’re just grateful to be a part of it.”

More than 100 coats have been collected so far, including boxes of new jackets. Ten volunteers are sorting and laundering donations throughout the week to prepare for distribution.

“One of the things I really love about Dixon is the community of it,” said Bates. “When there’s a need, a lot of people respond. People just come out and offer whatever they can.”

According to Bates, the church is aiming to meet demand rather than reach a specific number of donations. 

“We don’t know what the needs will be, as this is our first year,” said Bates. “We’ll just see what the Lord has in store.”

The coats will be available to anyone who needs one. According to Bates, thus far they have seen a strong mix of adult and children’s jackets but fewer adult men’s coats. 

“Our rule is, if we wouldn’t wear it ourselves, we wouldn’t give to anyone else,” said Bates.

For Bates and church volunteers, the event aligns closely with Cornerstone’s mission. 

“Our goal is to be the love of Jesus to anyone we come in contact with,” said Bates. “By providing physical needs, we’re showing how God loves and provides for us.”

Stephanie Bates, Pastor Bates’ wife and a former police officer, said the effort reflects a broader increase in need. 

“Because the need for food has increased, we’ve seen the need all around increase,” she said. “We just realized that people can hear you better when their needs are met.”

More than 100 coats have been collected so far, including boxes of new jackets. Ten volunteers are sorting and laundering donations throughout the week to prepare for distribution.

She added that donors have come from across the community. 

“It was so beautiful to watch because people from the community who only heard of us from Facebook or social media decided to be a part of it,” she said.

According to Stephanie Bates, nothing collected will go unused. The church distributes clothing twice monthly and will continue giving away remaining items in January. Children’s coats are in particularly high demand because they are quickly outgrown. All donated jackets and clothing are washed before distribution.

Community members who miss the designated drop-off times may contact the church directly. 

“If someone’s not here for intake, I’ll meet them here,” said Stephanie Bates.

Both Mike and Stephanie Bates thanked local businesses and organizations for supporting the effort. The Dixon Chamber of Commerce has assisted with outreach, while several businesses, including Mountain Mike’s Pizza, Ramtown Karate, Pizza Guys, Grocery Outlet and Solano Bakery, have contributed to the church’s separate food drive.

For more information, visit cornerstoneindixon.com/events or email [email protected].