CHARLOTTE — Steve’s Coats for Kids has once again broken a coat collection record. Thanks to the efforts of our community, a total of 27,275 coats were donated and will be distributed free to kids in our community.
With an increase of more than 1,500 over 2019, Steve’s Coats for Kids has collected more than 225,000 coats in the past 16 years.
WSOC-TV's Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign was introduced in 2005. All coat donations are distributed through Crisis Assistance Ministry, an independent nonprofit agency focused on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg's working poor.
Every donated coat spends less than 48 hours in the Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store before benefiting someone in need.
Within days of being donated, most of the coats were already on the racks at Crisis Assistance Ministry and ready to be given to a child in need of a warm winter coat.
Through the generosity of CINTAS Charlotte, all gently worn coats are cleaned and mended before they are distributed.
The community could donate new or gently worn coats at more than 80 donation sites that included 9 Family Focus partner locations and all Charlotte Mecklenburg fire stations.
Steve’s Coats for Kids is part of the 9 Family Focus campaign sponsored by Ashley HomeStore, Carolina Panthers, ER Services and Showmars.
In addition, the campaign would not be as successful without the grassroots community members who collect coats at their places of business or worship, or through civic organizations.
If you have an inspiring story to share, email Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.
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