Category: Press & Events

Clean Coats, Warm Hearts – Tewksbury Patch

Posted on by Matthias Roberge

One of the draws of living in New England is the beautiful rusty red and mustard orange leaves on the trees during foliage.

However, it is also the first sign of winter, and according to the Farmers’ Almanac, this winter there will be “more days of shivery conditions” then past winters.

Unfortunately, with the frigid forecast predicted and the bitter economic times, more children and adults will find themselves without a warm coat to wear during the long winter months in Massachusetts.

But thanks to Coats for Kids and Anton’s Cleaners many people will be able to have a warm winter coat.

On Oct. 11, Anton’s Cleaners, with 43 stores throughout Eastern Massachusetts, including Tewksbury (Stadium Plaza, 10 Main St.), will kick off the 16th annual Coats for Kids campaign. Coats for Kids is a community relations program, which annually distributes gently-worn coats to those in need.

“It is a good fit for what we do, and we were brought up to always give back to the community,” Arthur Anton Jr. said. “Since we began, it has grown and grown as there is more of a need. We started our first year with 2,000 coats, last year we had close to 60,000.”

Since the program began in 1994, Anton’s has collected, cleaned free of charge and distributed over 620,000 gently-worn winter coats to men, women and children who would otherwise be without one.

Anton said they got involved with Coats for Kids because it was a good match for their business, they had not realized how great the need was. As the economy got even worse, more and more people found themselves unable to get a winter coat and they were determined to provide everyone in need with a warm coat.

Last year, over 250 schools and 300 supporting partners also participated in the collection process, with donated coats being distributed by social service agencies throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

“The drive has grown by getting schools and other businesses involved, which I believe is important for community service,” Anton said. “Many people have coats not used or kids outgrow them, people see the drive and have a couple coats to donate, it becomes a great teaching lesson. It is important for customers to get involved in community service.”

To donate to Coats for Kids, simply drop off a coat at 10 Main St., Stadium Plaza or any Anton’s Cleaners location, they will clean the coat free of charge and have it picked up by Coats for Kids.

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Coats for Kids Charity Drive Up and Running – Burlington Patch

Posted on by Matthias Roberge

It is once again the holiday season in New England. For both locals and visitors, Massachusetts inspires a vision of snow-capped hills, cozy window displays, and a longing for general merriment.

Traditionally, winter is also a time of giving. People give presents to one another and give thanks for what they have. The holiday season also inspires people to give to those less fortunate.

It was the Anton family’s desire to give back to the community in the tradition of the season that prompted them to start the Coats for Kids charity drive in 1995.

Anton’s Cleaners has set up collection sites at all of its 43 locations around the area. People can donate used coats, provided they are in serviceable condition, to be distributed to those who need them. Fifteen years, and over 620,000 collected coats later, the drive is still going strong.

“The goal of Coats for Kids is to make certain that the strong demand for warm coats is matched by the even stronger generosity of our neighbors throughout the region,” says Charles A. Anton, CEO of Anton’s Cleaners.

The program started as a way for the family to give back to the community as their business grew. Anton’s Cleaners was founded in 1913, in Lowell, MA. The little family-owned business expanded and duplicated, until it was no longer a small business, but a franchise of 43 locations. Third-generation Antons attribute their success to their rich heritage of quality, service, environmental responsibility and community commitment.

This year the business is pushing for 60,000 coats to be donated before Jan. 8. Anton’s Cleaners will then clean the coats at their own expense and pass them off to distribution partners for dispersal.  Last year the Antons were able to give away 58,000 coats donated by local residents.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment is estimated to be around 8 percent this winter in Massachusetts. With less money circulating in households, and fuel-poverty at an all-time high, distribution of warm, gently-worn winter clothing has become more necessary than ever, making charities such as Coats For Kids crucial.

“We need children and adult coats that are in usable condition, free of rips, missing buttons, permanent stains or broken zippers,” Charles Anton said.

Anton’s Cleaners has joined forces with promotional support from FOX25 television, Jordan’s Furniture and KISS-108 radio station. Coats for Kids has also drawn support from more than 456 organizations acting as collection partners, and more than 60 distribution partners, comprised mostly of social service agencies, such as Salvation Army, Wish Project, and Community Giving Tree, to name only a few.

If you would like to make a contribution, donate a coat, or find additional information, visit www.antons.com/cfk or via Facebook: www.facebook.com/coatsforkids.
In Burlington, there is an Anton’s Cleaners with a Coats for Kids collection at 47 Winn St.

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Wilmington cleaners kicks off Coats for Kids

Posted on by Matthias Roberge

With the Farmer’s Almanac predicting one of our coldest winters in many years, Anton’s Cleaners, which has locations in Tewksbury and Wilmington, kicks off its 16th annual Coats for Kids winter coat drive on Oct. 11, with the goal of collecting 60,000 coats to be distributed to those in need throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Coat collections run through Jan. 8, 2011.

“The goal of Coats for Kids is to make certain that the strong demand for warm coats is matched by the even stronger generosity of our neighbors throughout the region,” said Charles A. Anton, CEO of Anton’s Cleaners. “Coats for Kids has become a true community event, attracting hundreds of schools, businesses and local organizations who want to become involved. We could not have accomplished what we have over the past 15 years without all of their support.”

Over the past 15 years, more than 620,000 adult and children’s coats have been collected and cleaned at no charge by Anton’s Cleaners. Although that amounts to enough coats to outfit practically every single person living in the city of Boston, every year there are stillthousands of men, women and children who desperately need a warm winter coat.

“We need children and adult coats that are in useable condition, free of rips, missing buttons, permanent stains or broken zippers,” Anton said.

Last year, nearly 60,000 coats were collected, cleaned and donated to those in need through a network of distribution partners that will once again include Massachusetts Community Action Programs (MASSCAP), Salvation Army, Rosie’s Place, Middlesex Human Service Agency, The Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Catholic Charities, Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Lutheran Social Services of New England, to name just a few.

The Coats for Kids drive has the support of a group Promotional Partners, including FOX25, KISS-108, Gatehouse Media and Jordan’s Furniture, which is opening its four locations — Avon, Natick, Reading, and Nashua, N.H. — as drop-off points for coats. In addition, Jordan’s Furniture will donate $1,200 worth of furniture and a $500 worth of gift certificate from Paul’s TV to the winning elementary and middle schools in the School Rewards program, as well as tickets to its IMAX theater for the winning middle school.

The School Rewards program promotes the collection in elementary and middle schools, which continue to be a driving force for Coats for Kids. Last year, nearly 300 schools participated in the program. The top three schools collecting the highest number of coats per students enrolled received prizes, including school supply gift certificates, pizza parties, ice cream sundae parties, and visits from a FOX25 meteorologist. Returning as supporting partners are Graham Communications, Package Supply Corporation and Enterprise Bank.

To find an Anton’s Cleaners near you, to register to become a collection partner, or to register an elementary or middle school for participation in the School Rewards competition, visit www.antons.com/cfk or call the Coats for Kids hotline at 800-659-0069. Become a fan on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/coatsforkids and clicking the “like” button at the top of the page.

Anton’s Cleaners is a family-owned, Massachusetts business that first opened its doors in Lowell in 1913. Today, 97 years later, the company has 43 dry cleaning stores throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. Anton’s Cleaners is the recipient of the Massachusetts Family Business Award and Enterprise Bank’s Celebration of Excellence Award.

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