Registrations start Mon­day for the Toasty Toddler Program designed to keep young children warm during the winter.

At the same time the Family Resource Center at the United Way of Blair County and participating agencies, businesses and groups are accepting clothing donations.

New coats, hats and gloves for children birth through age 5 may be brought to the United Way and places advertising collections. Sizes needed are boys and girls newborn, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months, as well as 2T to 5T, and 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and small. Money can be donated to purchase items.

Last year, 562 children were served by more than 30 agencies, businesses, schools, churches and civic groups and countless individuals that collected and donated goods and funds. Generally, all children receive a new coat, hat and gloves or mittens.

Opportunities to help include: collecting or running a collection site, donating supplies or funds, and volunteering to sort, pack and distribute supplies. All funds donated go toward purchasing items for the program.

The Toasty Toddler Program began as a collaborative project started by the Blair County Human Service Office, now the Blair County Department of Social Services. Referrals are made by education health care, and social service agencies serving families with young children as well as individuals who call the center looking for help. Registrations for newborns to age 5 will be accepted until Oct. 31.

The first distribution is planned for early November.

To date, other local participants include: Altoona Sunrise Rotary, Altoona Area Public Library, Bellwood-Antis Public Library, Blair County Department of Social Services, Faith United Church of Christ, Hollidays­burg Area Public Library, Home Nursing Agency, PennDOT District 9, Penn-Mont Academy, Penn-Mont at Penn State, Smith Trans­port, Roaring Spring Com­munity Library, UPMC Altoona and Kohl’s Cares for Kids.

For information or to volunteer, call the Family Resource Center at United Way at 317-5567 or sign up to volunteer on United Way of Blair County’s website.