FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – November 1st marks the start of the 2021 Coats for Kids Campaign sponsored by the Volunteer Center. Guest of Honor, Mayor Tom Henry, will kick off the campaign by distributing coats to the children at MLK Montessori School, 6001 South Anthony Blvd. on Wednesday, November 10th at 10 a.m.
This is the 22nd year for Coats for Kids. The program traditionally provides more than 6,000 warm winter coats to local underserved children. To date, over 72,000 coats have been delivered to over 100 area schools and social service agencies in the area.
Beginning Monday, November 1st, donations of new or gently used winter coats (Children’s Size 7 & above through adult sizes) are being collected at partner locations including Peerless Cleaners, Volunteer Center, Sweetwater (main campus), YMCA (Fort Wayne, Huntington), Darlington Holiday Warehouse, Parkview Ortho Hospital and GM Union Hall. Collections will continue through Tuesday, November 30.
The following was issued by the Volunteer Center:
Volunteer Center’s Executive Director, Ani Etter, states “COVID-19 has added to the struggles many families were already facing to make ends meet. Your donation will help ensure that every child in need has a warm coat this winter. We need the support of our local community more than ever.”
Cash donations are greatly appreciated and will contribute to the purchase of additional coats that are always needed. $25 will provide a new coat, hat, scarf and mittens to a child in hardship. Secure online donations are accepted here
Fort Wayne Firefighters, Volunteer Center community volunteers and YMCA team members will deliver the coats to schools and social service agencies during the first week of December.
Local retailers are looking to help out, too. At Bigby Coffee’s Illinois and Dupont Road locations, you can get a free drink card for donating $5 to Coats for Kids.
Bigby posted the following to social media:
We’re excited to partner with Coats for Kids Fort Wayne again this year!
Last year we raised enough money to purchase over 40 BRAND NEW coats, gloves, scarfs, and hats for area kids.This year we want to do even more!From now until the end of November, when you donate $5 to Coats For Kids, we’ll give you a FREE drink card. Good for any drink, any size!(Yes, even our awesome new holiday drinks that we just released.)It’s a great opportunity to help area kids in need, and sip your favorite Biggby Beverage at the same time!
You can visit either of our locations to donate.1505 W. Dupont Rd.
To see full details and local partners, click here
