In this season of giving, many people make donations to those in need.
But the emergency room at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue may not be the first place you would think to donate new or gently used clothes.
"It's the ER, so there's blood, vomit, urine and everything else. Sometimes people come in muddy and wet and sometimes we have to cut clothing to treat our patients rapidly," said nurse Laurie Lee.
Some of Overlake's patients are homeless and some of them leave without anything decent to wear. So, nurses began collecting clothes, shoes, and socks, and the community started to pitch in.
That's why Chris Zito, a KING 5 producer, brought in clothes that he's outgrown. He had gastric bypass surgery at Overlake a few months ago. Because he lost weight, he's donating clothes that no longer fit.
"I brought in all of my 4X and a good chunk of my 3X clothes," Zito said.
Sometimes, the clothes homeless patients leave with are their only belongings. To be able to help them during this cold weather, it warms the hearts of the nurses who work at Overlake.
"To send somebody out in shoes, pants and a sweatshirt and a hat on a cold day, that's huge," Lee said. "That's an amazing thing to be able to do."
Overlake is currently in need of men's and women's sneakers. If you'd like to donate, you can do so here.