Thank you for making the 2012-2013 drive a success!!
The 2012-2013 Coats for Kids drive was an overwhelming success. The public, along with 261 schools, and 315 corporate and community partners, dropped off coats from October 15, 2012 through January 12, 2013. The program collected, cleaned, and distributed over 52,000 coats of all sizes for families.
Every year, hundreds of Anton’s employees step up to the immense challenge of receiving and cleaning an enormous number of coats, all without charge. The company has cleaned over 800,000 coats and contributed over $10,000,000 in cleaning costs since the program began. Yet, its contribution extends far beyond that. Anton’s wants to ensure that the coats reach those in need and improve the lives of those in the communities it serves, and beyond.
“Coats for Kids is one of the main avenues for Room to Grow to put warm jackets on children being raised in poverty. We serve 400 babies and their families in Boston. Despite the financial stresses the parents face, they want the very best for their children. With the help of Coats for Kids, we are able to give these infants and toddlers much-needed winter warmth, giving their parents a boost of confidence that they are providing their children with a safe, warm and secure environment to grow up in.”
– Room to Grow
“I can only say that so many of our clients would be without decent, warm and clean coats with out the coats for kids program.”
– Community Action Programs, Inter-City, Inc.
As a result, Anton’s has developed and coordinated an extensive distribution partnership. In this program year over 90 non-profit and social service agencies signed on to distribute coats at no charge to those in need.
Distribution partners include MASSCAP, Salvation Army, , Massachusetts Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, The Community Giving Tree, Rosie’s Place, Catholic Charities, Children’s Services and Boston University Medical Center: Outreach Van Project among others.
Promotional Partners FOX25, Jordan’s Furniture, KISS 108, JAM’N 94.5 and GateHouse Media all played an important role in spreading the word. Thanks to the Supporting Partners, Package Supply Company and Fuse Ideas, along with Jordan’s Furniture, the School Rewards Program once again awarded the top schools for their efforts in the collection drive.
Finally, it is really the overwhelming response of customers, individuals and the corporate, community and school partners who dedicate their time in organizing collection drives and dropping off coats, that makes it all possible.
To all our partners, thank you!
Applause for School Rewards™ winners!
Elementary Schools
1st Place
MA Hospital School, Canton, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; 100 IMAX Tickets, and a chance to be featured in the 2013-2014 Coats for Kids campaign.
2nd Place
Boutwell School, Wilmington, MA.
The school received a $500 to purchase school supplies and books for their library.
3rd Place
SouthSchool, Stoneham, MA.
The school received a donation of school supplies.
Middle Schools
1st Place
Boston Archdiocesan Choir School, Cambridge, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; 100 IMAX tickets; and the chance to be featured in the 2013-2014 Coats for Kids campaign.
2nd Place
Millis Middle School, Millis, MA.
The school received a $250 cash prize; and a pizza party for the entire school.
3rd Place
Concord Middle School, Concord, MA.
The school received school supplies.
Success Stories
For the second year, Coats for Kids encouraged schools to share how they make their coat drive a success. All schools that submitted a story received a 5% boost towards winning a prize in the Coats for Kids School Rewards program. Visit our Facebook page to read the wonderfully creative approaches and view videos and photos of the school’s efforts.