Black law enforcement officers donate 100s of coats for Charlotte kids in need

In Charlotte, unsung heroes rise up – those who do good deeds out of a pure heart.

The spirit of giving is real for members of the greater Charlotte chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, also known as N.O.B.L.E.

The local chapter donated 400 coats to the WSOC-TV Steve’s Coats for Kids drive.

Steve’s Coats for Kids has collected nearly 250,000 coats, and every donated coat spends less than 48 hours in the Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store before benefiting someone in need.

“The way to help communities flourish is to give back. If you plant seeds in those communities, into the youth, and they get to see and identify who’s there for them during their time of growth and as they mature it all pays off,” said Torri Tellis, vice president of the greater Charlotte chapter of N.O.B.L.E.

Tellis is also a captain with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

N.O.B.L.E. has 59 chapters in six regions throughout the United States engaged in food or clothing drives, reading to children, awarding scholarships, or talking with young people about safety – be it traffic safety, gun safety, internet safety, bullying or HIV/AIDS prevention.

“N.O.B.L.E is compiled of law enforcement and civilians across the country organization which gives us opportunity outside of law enforcement and within communities to reach out, assist in other ways and support different communities,” he said.

Many families living in need have to choose between paying for utilities, rent and food expenses, and a coat for their kid isn’t always part of the budget.

During the winter months it can get pretty chilly, and for Steve’s Coats for Kids the aim is to keep children warm.

“Families are paying bills to keep the lights on. In this time where we’re dealing with COVID and there’s a lot of, a lot of pulls financially,” Tellis said. “This was a great opportunity for us to reach out and go ahead and take one thing off of that to-do list.”

The coats will be distributed by Crisis Assistance Ministry. An independent nonprofit agency, Crisis Assistance Ministry focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s working poor – providing assistance with rent, utilities, clothing and furniture.

With all the challenges facing our community, it is obvious that N.O.B.L.E. will stay in place for as long as it takes working and serving every day.

“It’s a great feeling to know that you’re doing the right thing,” Tellis said. “Everybody in our organization is seeing that same vision and that is the reward for us.”

To learn more about the greater Charlotte chapter of N.O.B.L.E, you can email Tellis at Torri.Tellis@cmpd.org.

WSOC-TV’s Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign is part of the Channel 9 Family Focus brand and was introduced in 2005. Steve’s Coats for Kids runs through Dec. 31, 2021.

This campaign has been brought together through various partnerships and our 9 Family Focus sponsors which include Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Gastroenterology and Hepatology and E.R. Plumbing Services.

There are over 100 collection points across the Carolinas, including Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, E.R. Plumbing Services and all Charlotte fire stations.

Black law enforcement donate 100s of coats for kids in need

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Learn more about how your donation can impact the community at www.StevesCoatsForKids.com.

If you have an inspiring story, please contact Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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