Point Boro Group: "Dottie's House Kids Need Coats and Boots"

is asking area residents to donate coats and boots to children served by Dottie's House, which serves families fleeing domestic violence.

There are 20 children, ranging in age from infants to teenagers, who are in dire need of coats, boots, hats, scarves and gloves as winter cold sets in, according to Mary Furmato, a Community Watch member and the niece of Carol Wolfe, Dottie's House president.

"We're asking people to give the gift of warmth by next Friday, so Dottie's House can hand the coats and boots to children on Christmas Day," Furmato said on Friday morning.

Dottie's House, with an office on Route 88 in Brick, provides "a transitional housing facility designed to aid women and children who have survived domestic violence," according to its website.

Furmato said the location of the housing is kept confidential to protect the women and children who live there.

There are families from Point Borough, as well as many other surrounding communities, who seek shelter, referrals and other services from Dottie's House.

Furmato said she is also asking Target and WalMart to offer discounts on outerwear and boots for the children.

In an email Friday morning, Community Watch, which meets regularly at , issued the following plea for donations:

"Dear Watch Members: Please be made aware, as we are running around trying to finish our holiday shopping, that there are children in need.

"We have been made aware that Dottie's House, is in desperate need of new or gently used winter coats, hats, scarves and gloves for children....Thank you in advance. Please remember those less fortunate as we are getting lost in the business of the holiday."

For more information on the sizes of the children and how to donate outerwear, contact Furmato at home at (732) 899-4637.

For more information about how to donate funds to Dottie's House, see the donation page of their website.