Charlotte sorority donates nearly 500 coats to help kids in need

During the winter months it can get pretty chilly. At WSOC-TV, our aim is to keep children warm.

Our 18th annual Steve’s Coats for Kids drive is underway.

For the past five years, the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated has collected hundreds of coats for the Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign to help keep area children warm in the winter.

“These coats will go the long way to make sure that someone is warm. Someone without will have the opportunity to stay warm and stay healthy in this environment,” said Melody Harris, chapter president. “We are still in the pandemic. Doing what we can to stay healthy, stay warm and stay safe. Providing a coat goes a long way in doing that.”

The women have a coat collection and encourage community and sorority members to donate a new or gently worn coat.

“Providing a warm coat to anyone that needs it, especially a child, shows understanding and compassion,” Harris said.

Following the collection at the chapter, the ladies drove to Charlotte Fire Station #18 where firefighters helped them unload the 457 coats that were donated at the center.

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.

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.

An independent nonprofit agency, Crisis Assistance Ministry focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s working poor. It provides assistance with rent, utilities, clothing and furniture.

Thanks to Cintas Charlotte, each coat is sorted, hung and inspected. For those coats that need extra attention, Cintas launders, replaces buttons, hems and otherwise does whatever it takes to get the coats looking almost new.

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

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

CLICK HERE FOR ALL DONATION LOCATIONS

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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