Winter can be a difficult time for anyone who does not have adequate clothing or central heating at home to counteract colder temperatures outside.

But for seniors who are coping with health and mobility issues, winter can be especially difficult.

The Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A) is asking Chilton County to help its senior residents in need by donating clothing and household items from Dec. 10 to Jan. 31 through “Warming Hearts,” M4A’s first winter clothing drive for seniors.

Clothing items should be new and can include jackets, thermal shirts and pants, socks, gloves, scarves and hats.

All sizes of apparel for men and women will be accepted, along with washable blankets and portable heaters with the automatic shut-off function.

M4A Special Projects Coordinator Crystal Crim said anything that will help seniors stay warm qualifies for donation.

“We have a lot (of seniors) that don’t have gas, heat or insulation in their homes,” Crim said. “We kind of feel like they would be good candidates for these items.”

Drop-off sites for donations will be in Clanton at Alabama Power, located at 2030 Seventh St. S.; Alacare, located at 206 Medical Center Drive; and the M4A office, located at 15863 Highway 25 in Calera.

Crim said M4A plans to collaborate with local community centers and groups such as Senior Connection to find seniors who could benefit from the drive.

“If anyone in the community knows of anyone that could be eligible, they can give us a call,” Crim said. “We definitely want to get in touch with them.”

Community volunteers are needed to help distribute the items in February after the collection period ends.

Other ways to contribute to the “Warming Hearts” community outreach program are monetary donations and gift cards with their amounts denoted.

To donate, volunteer or learn more about the program, call M4A at (205) 670-5770 or 1-800-243-5463.

Grant funded by the Alabama Department of Senior Services, M4A is one of 13 area agencies on aging in Alabama and serves Chilton, Blount, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties.