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.
