As the cold-weather season quickly approaches, a group of friends are hoping to warm up the Icebox of the Nation.

And while Teresa Rom, Margaret Terry, and Jodi Kapla can’t play Mother Nature, they can help provide warm winter jackets and clothing to those who live in the chilly community and are unable to afford necessary cold weather wear.

“We hope to bring warmth to those who need it. We want them to have a place they can come to get just a little something to help make winter a little more bearable,” Rom said.

The group is calling their efforts “Drive for Warmth.” The project’s purpose is for community members to reach out to those in need by donating new or gently used winter coats, hats, scarfs, mittens, boots, snow pants, long johns, or under armor for all ages, shapes, and sizes.

Rom said the first time she organized the drive was in 2009. At that time, Rom said the group distributed 1,500 coats, 400 hats, 600 pairs of mittens, 150 pairs of snow pants and 25 pairs of boots.

“All of these items were donated by this amazing community,” she said.

Collection bins have been set up at International Falls SuperValu and Super One. People can bring in their donations through Nov. 13.

“We gather up the coats, wash them, fix and do minor repairs and sort them to sizes for the distribution days,” Rom explained.

Distribution dates are set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11-12 and Nov. 16-17 at the International Mall.

“Absolutely anyone can come during that time and get what they need,” Rom said.

She added that the drive reaches beyond the International Falls community. She said the group hopes to help people in Littlefork, Ray, Ranier, Big Falls, and Indus, too.

“Most of us have been in a place where a little gesture makes such a difference in our lives,” Rom said. “We want to give that back, to pay it forward. We can make a difference using things we already have that are just sitting in a closet or a tote.”

For more information, or questions on how to donate or the distribution, contact Rom at 278-6726.