PUTNAM --- With winter just around the corner, Cargill Council 64, Knights of Columbus will be collecting donations of clean, used winter coats for men, women and children and clean, used blankets and baby clothes in good condition, for needy people throughout northeastern Connecticut.

The collection will be from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 29 in the parking lot behind St. Mary Church of the Visitation on Providence Street. For info, call 860-928-7241.

We all know that this is a good time to clean out your closets, so we're asking you now, so we can give the clothing away to needy, local families this fall, strictly on the basis of need.