Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids & Families seeks donations of winter coats for children and adults in need;
donations accepted through January 7, 2024
50,000 warm winter coats needed to fulfill one mission:
“Anyone who needs a coat, will have one.”
TEWKSBURY, Mass. (September 15, 2023) – In hard economic times and looming cooler weather, a warm coat isn’t a luxury… it is a necessity. In every community, there are thousands of children and adults who may otherwise not have access to warm winter coat this winter. As New England’s largest coat drive for nearly 30 years, Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids & Families collects gently used coats of all sizes and for all ages October 2nd through January 7th. After collection, the coats are professionally cleaned by Anton’s and given to local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools for distribution. This year, the goal is to collect 50,000 warm coats for those in need.
School groups, corporations, community or neighborhoods, and kind individuals are all welcome to donate coats for children and adults at all Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, and Enterprise Bank locations now through January 7th.
Sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, and Jordan’s Furniture, Coats for Kids & Families has collected, cleaned, and distributed 1,212,369 free coats at more than 70 collection locations and events since the program began in 1995.
Coats for Kids & Families accepts warm winter coats that are new or gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor does the drive accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats, boots, scarves or gloves.
“For nearly three decades, Caring Partners has had one mission: anyone who needs a coat, will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “Local schools, companies, clubs, and nonprofits collaborate each year to collect, clean and distribute 50,000 winter coats – a miraculous feat. This program gives back directly to the communities we serve, and we are proud to keep this program going as we approach three decades of service.”
According to Eliot Tatelman, President of Jordan’s Furniture, “We are happy to continue our
long-running support of Coats for Kids & Families, helping to make sure that anyone who needs a warm, winter coat will have one. And funding the School Rewards Program is so important. It not only provides an extra incentive to the schools, it also teaches the students a meaningful lesson about helping the community around them. We are proud to, again, be a part of this wonderful program.”
According to Jack Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Bank, “We are honored to once again be supporting Coats for Kids & Families in their mission to collect coats for those in need,” said Jack Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Bank. “Each year, I am deeply moved and humbled by the outpouring of support from our communities and our very own Enterprise family.”
School groups are critical to the program’s success. Each year, more than 200 dedicated school groups are responsible for half of all coat collections. Local public, parochial and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™ offering six $1000 prizes to schools who collect the most coats per capita – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. See website for registration form and details: antons.com/cfk.
Partners for this year’s Coats for Kids & Families drive include Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, Jordan’s Furniture, Boston 25, KISS 108, JAM’N 94.5, 101.7 The Bull, 100.7 WZLX, WRKO, and WBZ News Radio.
For more information, visit contact Stephanie Littlefield, Anton’s Cleaners Community Relations, at 978-851-3721 x15 or Stephanie@antons.com. To register your school or company online to participate or donate, or for more information, visit https://antons.com/cfk.
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Help fulfill our mission: “Anyone who needs a coat will have one.”
TEWKSBURY, Mass. (August 23, 2019) – Even in the dog days of August, it’s never too early to start thinking about starting a fall drive to help thousands of adults, children and infants who will go without a warm winter coat this winter. Celebrating 25 years of caring as New England’s largest coat drive, Coats for Kids seeks companies, nonprofits and community organizations to join its legion of caring collection partners and distribution network for the 25th annual Coats for Kids Drive. Sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture and Enterprise Bank, the drive kicks off October 14th and runs through January 12, 2019. In 2018, the organization reached its goal of collecting and distributing one million coats since the program began in 1995… 1,073,306, to be exact.
“It is hard to believe we have spent the last quarter of a century helping our neighbors in need, and carrying out the Caring Partners mission to provide a coat to anyone who needs one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “Unfortunately, cost of living has continued to rise and make expenses a hardship for New England families. It takes a village of collection partners to meet the rising need each year – over 50,000 coats are needed this year; 25 more collection partners would be incredible way to mark our 25th anniversary.”
This summer and early fall, Caring Partners relies on the collaborative efforts of 1000 local partners — schools, companies, clubs, and nonprofits – to help neighbors in need. Together, these partners helps collect, clean and distribute over 50,000 winter coats to help babies, kids and adults who otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep themselves warm this winter.
To get started, an organization simply appoints a Coats for Kids leader, registers on the antons.com/cfk website, selects a date and location, and spreads the word to collect as many warm winter coats as possible. A drive can last a day, a week, a month or the entirety of our coat drive (October 14-January 12). Partners can drop coats off at any Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank or Jordan’s Furniture location.
Since coats are a necessity for both adults and kids, all donated coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners and distributed through distribution partners made up of major local nonprofit and social service agencies such as Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, Women’s Lunch Place, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, and many more.
Coats for Kids accepts warm winter coats that are gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor can we accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats. Coats are accepted through January 12th at all 42 Anton’s Cleaners, six Jordan’s Furniture stores, and 23 Enterprise Bank branches.
Coats for Kids is New England’s largest coat drive, with more than 200 school groups making up one half of all collections in 2018. Local public, parochial and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™ offering editable promotional flyers and great prizes to the schools who collect the most coats per capita – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. See website for registration form and details: https://antons.com/cfk/get-involved/register-your-school/.
Partners for this year’s Coats for Kids drive include Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, Enterprise Bank, Boston 25 Cares, Kiss 108FM, Jam’n 94.5, 101.7 The Bull, WBZ 1030, 97.7 The Beat, WRKO, and 100.7 WZLX.
For more information, visit contact Stephanie Littlefield, Anton’s Cleaners Community Relations, at 978-851-3721 x15 or Stephanie@antons.com.
To register your school or company online to participate or donate, or for more information, visit http://www.caringpartnersinc.org. Follow Coats for Kids on Facebook and Twitter (@antons_cfk).
Adult, child and infant coats needed to fulfill our mission: “Anyone who needs a coat will have one.”
TEWKSBURY, Mass. (August 29, 2018) – When household expenses are high and temperatures are low, a warm winter coat isn’t a luxury… it is a necessity. This year, there are thousands of individuals – adults, children and infants – who will go without a warm winter coat this winter, and Coats for Kids and its legion of caring collection partners and distribution network is ready to help for the 24th annual Coats for Kids Drive. Sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture and Enterprise Bank, the drive kicks off October 15th and runs through January 6, 2019.
In 2018, the organization reached a poignant milestone: one million coats collected and distributed since the program began in 1995… 1,027,625, to be exact.
“As we kick off our 24th annual coat drive and mark this one million coat milestone, we can be proud of the simple, singular focus of the Caring Partners mission: anyone who needs a coat, will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “It is an enormous collaborative effort to bring together nearly 1000 local partners — schools, companies, clubs, and nonprofits – to help neighbors in need. Together, we collect, clean and distribute over 40,000 winter coats to help babies, kids and adults who otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep themselves warm this winter.”
Since coats are a necessity for both adults and kids, all donated coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners and distributed through distribution partners made up of major local nonprofit and social service agencies such as Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, Women’s Lunch Place, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Strafford County Community Action, Catholic Charities, and many more.
Coats for Kids accepts warm winter coats that are gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor can we accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats. Coats are accepted through January 6th at all 42 Anton’s Cleaners, six Jordan’s Furniture stores, and 23 Enterprise Bank branches.
“Every year, the kindness of our customers who donate thousands of gently used coats continues to floor us,” says Eliot Tatelman, Jordan’s Furniture President and CEO. “We are proud to continue our support to Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids, helping families in the communities we serve.”
Coats for Kids is New England’s largest coat drive, with more than 250 school groups making up one half of all collections in 2017. Local public, parochial and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™ offering editable promotional flyers and great prizes to the schools who collect the most coats per capita – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. See website for registration form and details: https://antons.com/cfk/get-involved/register-your-school/.
“We are truly honored to be involved in Caring Partners’ year-round community relations programs, Coats for Kids and Belle of the Ball,” said Jack Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Bank. “Financial hardship can create a difficult series of choices, including prioritizing food and winter outerwear. Coats for Kids ensures that anyone who needs a warm winter coat will have one, a mission we fully support. Our Enterprise Bank branches are ready to receive your drop offs and are proud to support this worthy cause.”
Partners for this year’s Coats for Kids drive include Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, Enterprise Bank, Boston 25 Cares, WickedLocal, Kiss 108FM, Jam’n 94.5, 101.7 The Bull, WBZ 1030, The New 97.7, WRKO, and 100.7 WZLX.
For more information, visit contact Stephanie Littlefield, Anton’s Cleaners Community Relations, at 978-851-3721 x15 or Stephanie@antons.com.
To register your school or company online to participate or donate, or for more information, visit https://antons.com/cfk. Follow Coats for Kids on Facebook and Twitter (@antons_cfk) and
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Farmer’s Almanac predicts “above normal snow and below-normal temperatures for winter 2015-2016; New England’s largest coat collection enters second decade of helping Bay State babies, children and adults in need with warm winter coats.
TEWKSBURY, Mass. (September 17, 2015) – On October 12, 2015, Caring Partners kicks off the 21st annual Coats for Kids winter coat drive sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners and Jordan’s Furniture. Coats for Kids will run through January 8, 2016 with one simple goal – to help individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep themselves and their families warm. Since the program began in 1995, more than 900,000 coats have been collected (nearly 52,000 last year alone), with Anton’s donating over $12M in cleaning services.
With the Farmer’s Almanac predicting “above-normal snow and below-normal temperatures” for this winter season, warm winter coats are a necessity for all, and all donated coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners.
Coats for Kids accepts warm winter coats that are gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor can we accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats. Coats are accepted at all 42 Anton’s Cleaners and five Jordan’s Furniture locations October 12, 2015 through January 8, 2016. Collected coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners and distributed through distribution partners made up of major local nonprofits and social service agencies.
Coats for Kids is New England’s largest coat drive, with more than 212 school groups making up one half of all collections in 2015. Local public, parochial and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™. This program awards great prizes to the top three elementary and middle schools who collect the most coats per capita – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. See website for registration form and details: https://antons.com/cfk/get-involved/register-your-school/.
According to Arthur C. Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners, “Our mission is simple: ‘Anyone in need of a coat will have one.’ Coats for Kids is a program close to the hearts of all our employees in all 42 Anton’s stores. We are proud to enter our 21st year of partnership with local schools, businesses and organizations, all working together to help make winter a little warmer for children, teens and adults in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.”
In addition to all 42 Anton’s Cleaners locations, warm winter coats are also accepted at all Jordan’s Furniture locations during normal store hours. “Jordan’s Furniture is proud to celebrate our tenth year supporting Coats for Kids,” said Eliot Tatelman, President/CEO of Jordan’s Furniture. “It is important to us to be a part of this necessary local program because there are so many families right in our own neighborhoods who go without. To be able to help them during the tough winter months is just the right thing to do, and to see our wonderful customers come into our stores with their arms full of warm clothes to donate is truly inspirational. It shows the true spirit of community. We are honored to be a prominent sponsor of Coats For Kids and a part of the drive’s School Rewards Program, demonstrating to students how important it is to help those in need around you.”
Companies can also participate. In addition to monetary donations, Coats for Kids also relies on over 300 Massachusetts businesses to become collection partners and round up warm winter coats which will be cleaned and distributed back to neighbors in the company’s area – a worthy corporate holiday charitable effort. Participating companies receive posters and other marketing material to promote the drive to employees, customers and clients. Companies already participating this year include Oracle, Hammond Residential Real Estate, Stop & Shop, and Nestle Waters North America.
Once collected and cleaned, coats are distributed through the Coats for Kids Distribution Partners Network, which includes such organizations as Massachusetts Community Action Programs (MASSCAP), Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Strafford County Community Action, Catholic Charities, and many more.
“Through Coats for Kids, we were able to give families warm coats so that they could devote their resources to other needs, such as heating their homes and buying food. I believe that in so many ways, Anton’s Cleaners is an unsung hero to so many people,” said Joseph Diamond, Executive Director, Massachusetts Association for Community Action.
Major partners for the 2015-2016 Coats for Kids collection include Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, WickedLocal, Kiss 108FM, Fox 25 Boston, Jam’n 94.5, and 101.7 The Bull.
To register your school online to participate, visit https://antons.com/cfk/school/
To sign up and become a Corporate Partner, visit https://antons.com/cfk/become-a-partner/
We want to hear about your coat collection!
Submit a video to show why your school participates in the Coats for Kids program and how you organize a coat collection each year in your school.
You could win up to $250 towards classroom supplies for your school! Just submit your video entry no later then December 18, 2015 with the form below.
All students are welcome to enter, including children in private, and charter schools. Only one entry per school will be accepted.
To participate, each entry must:
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Currently be a school collection partner for the 21st annual Coats for Kids program
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Focus on at least one of following:
- Why your school participates in Coats for Kids
- What students have learned by participating in Coats for Kids
- How your school collects coats for Coats for Kids
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2 minutes (120 seconds) or less in length.
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Begin with a 10 second full-screen “title screen” that includes the following information:
- School Name
- School City, State
- Title of Video
- Grades of School [i.e.: Elementary School (K-5), Middle School (6-8, K-8), High School (9-12)]
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Submit Entry with the large file sharing link below on or before December 18, 2015. Send video to info@caringpartnersinc.org
For a full list of contest guidelines, please refer to our video contest terms and conditions by clicking here.
Looking for a little inspiration or direction? Here are few videos from previous years!:
*please note additional requirements have been added to the video contest guidelines since the creation of these videos. Please refer to the terms and conditions for complete guidelines .
VIDEO by John Wilcox, Boston Herald.
The Salvation Army hosted its 14th annual Christmas Castle event. One of the largest holiday distribution initiatives in Massachusetts. The event provides clothing, toys, and food vouchers to over 14,000 residents in need.
“These are people who are just trying to provide for their kids,” said Drew Forster, spokesman for the Salvation Army of Massachusetts. “Everybody wants to provide Christmas for their kids.”
According to Arthur C. Anton, Jr. of Anton’s Cleaners, “Coats for Kids provides about 2,000- 3,000 coats for the Christmas Castle every year through the annual Coats for Kids program.”
Anton’s Cleaners’ 19th annual “Coats for Kids” winter coat drive is up and running and accepting coat donations through Jan. 11, 2014.
Windsor Ridge of Westborough, Mass. is on board as a Corporate Partner for the program.
The coat drive has one simple goal – to help individuals who otherwise wouldn’t be able to keep themselves and their families warm. “Coats for Kids” is New England’s largest coat drive, collecting over 856,000 coats since the program began. Last year’s drive collected 52,000 coats, with Anton’s donating over $10M in cleaning services since the program’s inception.
Participating companies and organizations collect good quality, warm winter coats and then bring them to any of Anton’s Cleaners’ 42 locations or one of the five Jordan’s Furniture stores. Once collected and cleaned, coats are distributed free of charge through the Distribution Partner network.
Promotional partners for the 2013-2014 “Coats for Kids” collection include Jordan’s Furniture, KISS 108, Wicked Local, Fox 25 and Jam’n 94.5.
For more information, visit https://antons.com/cfk/ or contact Stephanie Littlefield, Anton’s Cleaners Community Relations, at 978-851-3721 x15 or Stephanie@antons.co
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/westborough/news/x1467739384/Windsor-Ridge-participates-in-Antons-Cleaners-Coats-for-Kids#ixzz2ogCimHwr
Follow us: @WestboroughNews on Twitter | westboroughnews on Facebook
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.
Thank you for making the 2011-2012 drive a success!!
The 2011-2012 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, 2011 through January 8, 2012. Despite the fact it was one of the warmest winters in recent memory, the program collected, cleaned, and distributed over 56,300 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 744,000 coats and contributed over $8,500,000 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.
“The Coats for Kids program could not have come at a better time since many families were struggling to keep warm, both inside and outside of their homes. Through Coats for Kids, we were able to give families warm coats so that they could devote their resources to other needs, such as heating their homes and buying food. I believe that in so many ways, Anton’s Cleaners is an unsung hero to so many people.”
– Joseph Diamond, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action
As a result, Anton’s has developed and coordinated an extensive distribution partnership. In this program year, 86 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
Charles A. Bernazzani Elementary School, Quincy, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; a $250 gift card for school supplies; a visit by one of the FOX25 meteorologists; an ice cream social school party, and a chance to be featured in the 2012-2013 Coats for Kids campaign.
2nd Place
Kittredge Elementary School, North Andover, MA.
The school received a $500 gift card towards school supplies, and a pizza party for the school.
3rd Place
Old Post Road Elementary School, Walpole, MA.
The school received a donation of books to their library.
Middle Schools
1st Place
Boston Archdiocesan Choir School, Cambridge, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; a private movie screening at Jordan’s Furniture IMAX theatre; a $250 gift card towards school supplies; a ice cream social party; and the chance to be featured in the 2012-2013 Coats for Kids campaign.
2nd Place
Watertown Middle School, Watertown, MA.
The school received a $250 cash prize; a $250 gift card for towards school supplies, and a pizza party.
3rd Place
Hale Middle School, Stow, MA.
The school received ice cream social party.
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.
Scout Troop Winners
This year, five Girl Scout and Boy Scout Troops joined the collection effort, running coat drives in their towns and schools. Each troop’s efforts were rewarded with IMAX theatre tickets, courtest of Jordan’s Furniture.
Medway Girl Scouts Troop 73375
Girl Scout Troop 30118
Girl Scout Troop 60946
Cub Scout Pack 11 – Everett
Cub Scout Pack 14 – Merrimack
Thank you for making the 2010-2011 drive a success!!
The 2010-2011 Coats for Kids drive was an overwhelming success. The public, along with 259 schools, and almost 300 corporate and community partners, dropped off coats from October 15, 2010 through January 8, 2011. The result was a near-record total of 68,387 coats, the second highest total in this 16-year old program. A remarkable accomplishment in a year when the economy was sputtering, the winter extremely harsh and more people in need.
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 688,000 coats and contributed over $8,500,000 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.
“The Coats for Kids program could not have come at a better time since many families were struggling to keep warm, both inside and outside of their homes. Through Coats for Kids, we were able to give families warm coats so that they could devote their resources to other needs, such as heating their homes and buying food. I believe that in so many ways, Anton’s Cleaners is an unsung hero to so many people.”
– Joseph Diamond, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action
As a result, Anton’s has developed and coordinated an extensive distribution partnership. In this program year, 86 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
Hospital School, Canton, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; a $250 gift certificate from Paul’s TV; a visit by one of the FOX25 meteorologists; a $250 cash prize and the student body enjoy a make-your-own-sundae party.
2nd Place
Odyssey Day School, Wakefield, MA.
The school received a $500 cash prize; and the students are given a pizza party.
3rd Place
Edward Everett School, Dorchester, MA.
The school received a $250 cash prize and the teachers received a $500 school supply gift certificate.
Middle Schools
1st Place
Watertown Middle School, Watertown, MA.
The school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan’s Furniture; a private movie screening at Jordan’s Furniture IMAX theatre; a $250 gift certificate from Paul’s TV; a $250 cash prize and the student body enjoy a make-your-own-sundae party.
2nd Place
Shirley Middle School, Shirley, MA.
The school received a $500 cash prize and the students will be given a pizza party.
3rd Place
Andover Montessori School, Andover, MA.
The school received a $250 cash prize and the teachers receive a $500 school supply gift certificate.
Success Stories
New for 2010, 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.
Scout Troop Winners
Congratulations to the scout groups that collected the most coats per member:
Cub Scout Pack 116, Foxboro
Girl Scout Troop 60079, Andover
The scouts received 25 passes to Jordan’s Furniture IMAX theatre