ATTENTION moms: check your hall closets. If your kid thinks his snowboarding jacket or puffy parka is last year's fashion, consider donating it to a child in need.

The Greater Vancouver Home Builders' Association (GVHBA) has kicked off its annual coat-collection campaign. All coats collected through the Coat for Kids campaign will be donated to the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau. The bureau is a registered charity that provides food vouchers and toys at Christmas time to low-income families with children. The bureau also collects toys for distribution to other Christmas bureaus in the Lower Mainland.

Last year's campaign resulted in the collection of 1,033 warm winter coats for children and teens. It's not just coats that are needed. Other items are being accepted too. Blankets, scarves, mittens and new, unwrapped toys for children and teens will also be gratefully accepted.

This year, 21 GVHBA member companies, stretching across 10 municipalities, are opening their doors to the public, to serve as drop-off sites for the campaign. On the north Shore, drop-off sites are at Intracorp Capilano Ridge Developments at 3125 Capilano Crescent and RJR Construction Management Ltd. Management Ltd. at 1959 Alderlynn Drive, both in North Vancouver.

Hours are Monday to Thursday as well as Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. at Capilano Ridge. RJR Construction Management Ltd. will accept coats Monday through Sunday, 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m.