WELLS — The Wells Winter Color Guard program is gearing up to collect textiles of any kind and used clothing in a Winter Weed-Out month long fundraising drive to generate funds to cover expenses for trips to two competitive events in the near future. This should also prove to be a fantastic opportunity for community members to do some early spring cleaning by weeding out their closets.

First, the Winter Guard team has an opportunity to travel to New Jersey in late February and compete at the Winter Guard International Regional Competition; then, in early April, to Ohio to attend the Winter Guard International World Championships. The cost of both trips added together is estimated to total $35,000.

Winter Weed-Out is a different kind of fundraiser that will not involve any monetary donations. “It’s a clothing drive – except it’s more than just clothing, it’s any textiles,” commented Color Guard volunteer Ashley Breton. “It’s open to the whole community.”

According to Breton, the team and the Epilepsy Foundation will each earn so much per pound collected. Items in good condition will be sold at the Epilepsy Foundation’s consignment shop, Savers.

Items that can be accepted included: linens, towels, bedding, quilts, blankets, comforters, curtains, drapes, shoes, purses, fabrics, uniforms, costumes, chair covers, slip covers, clothing including stained or ripped clothing, and even single shoes and old clean rags.

Those who would like to donate, should bag up their donations in new garbage bags and deposit them in desig-nated barrels located at Wells High School, Wells Junior High School, Wells Elementary School or the Wells-Ogunquit Communitiy School District’s Superintendent’s Office at 1460 Post Road. Other collection barrels are located at Wells Storage Solutions, Wells Town Hall, the Ogunquit Baptist Church, and the Lighthouse Church of the Nazarene. Tax donation letters can be provided upon request.

Those with questions, who need empty garbage bags, or need a pickup of five or more bags, may contact Ashley Breton at 646-7240 or abreton@ maine.rr.com.