Coats for Kids Collection Partners Needed To Collect Warm Winter Coats Between October 14, 2019 and January 12, 2020

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).

Winter Is Coming: Caring Partners’ Coats For Kids Drive Launches October 12, 2015

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/

 

Coats for Kids provides Salvation Army coats for 5,000 families


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.”

Windsor Ridge participates in Anton’s Cleaners’ ‘Coats for Kids’

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

Children’s Friend Gives Out 1,000 Coats to RI Families in Need

Just in time for the re-emergence of the cold weather,Children’s Friend distributed more than 1,000 gently used coats to Rhode Island children and families at its Berkshire Street site. Donated by Anton’s Cleaners of Framingham, Mass., the coats went to deserving families in the Providence area.

Ongoing need

Rhode Island has the highest percentage of children living in poverty in New England – one in six – so donations like this one, along with the myriad services Children’s Friend provides, are critical for struggling familiesIn the winter months. Ensuring that children have access to basic necessities like a winter coat is essential, said organizers.

Children’s Friend

A non-profit organization founded in 1834, Children’s Friend is a leading provider of child welfare, family support, mental health, and child development services. Families are strengthened by creating safe and nurturing environments for children during the crucial early years, and by helping parents gain access to the resources, education, and support that they need. In this way, children are given the foundation to help them live healthy and productive lives. Children’s Friend provided services to help over 30,000 children and families in 2011.

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What to Recycle, Donate After Christmas

Do you have items you no longer need? A number of holiday collections are underway and items can be easily donated at one location.

Are you buying a new winter jacket? Do you have holiday lights that no longer work? Did your kids get duplicate toys this year? Did Santa bring you a new cell phone?

If you have items you’d like to toss but aren’t sure what to do with them, a number of collections are taking place in the Boston area. Items can be dropped off in the South End at Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries (1010 Harrison Ave.)

Toys
One collection seeking new items and not used ones is Toys for Tots. New, unwrapped toys are being sought for children in the area. You can drop them off at 23 Dry Dock Ave, 8th floor Boston, MA from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Coats
If you have coats you no longer need, donations are being collected through Coats for Kids at any Anton’s Cleaners or Jordan’s Furniture between now and Jan. 12. The closest Anton’s to Charlestown is 37 Charles St., Boston.

Cell Phones
Cell phones piling up because you have the newest and best that technology has to offer? Mail used cells to the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (989 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215)

Lights
Have old holiday lights that no longer work? Maybe you switched colors or swapped old lights for LED ones? Whatever the reason, if you have lights that you’re not hanging this year, they can be recycled. You can bring them in to your nearest Lowe’s or Home Depot, or mail them to HolidayLEDs.com, Attn: Recycling Program, 3849 Guest Rd., Jackson, MI 49203. Click here for more info on that.

Is your organization collecting donations this holiday season? Let us knowin the comments section.

School collecting Coats for Kids donations

Watertown Middle School is collecting winter jackets for its annual Coats for Kids community service project. Donations can be dropped off at a collection area near the school’s main office and the courtyard door. The drive will end on Jan. 12, according to the school. Organizers are seeking gently used heavy winter coats in any size, and without any stains, rips, or broken zippers. The drive is facilitated by Anton’s Cleaners, which has 42 locations across New England. Last year, 261 schools and 315 corporate and community offices collected, cleaned, and distributed more than 56,300 coats for families in need of assistance, according to the dry-cleaning company. Watertown Middle School last year placed second in the number of coats collected by students, and was rewarded with a $250 cash prize, a $250 gift card toward school supplies, and a pizza party, according to Anton’s.

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Middle School Collecting Coats for Families in Need

Blake Middle School students SIPS (Sudents in Public Service) Students, under the direction of Social Studies teacher, Michael Gow, are holding their annual gently-used coat drive sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners.

Over the past eight years, SIPS students have collected nearly 800 coats. These coats have helped needy families across multiple neighborhoods in Massachusetts.

Parents and students are encouraged to help by donating “gently used” coats through Friday, January 11.

Donation boxes are located at the main entrance to the school.

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Salemwood gives the gift of warmth

The Salemwood School is once again collecting coats and jackets to help those less fortunate stay warm this winter.

“Each year the Salemwood community reaches out to staff, parents, and the community to bring some warmth to those less fortunate than ourselves, many of which are often our own families here in Malden,” said teacher and Salemwood drive coordinator Kathy Sullivan.

The Salemwood Drive is in conjunction with the Coats for Kids program. Now in its 18th year, the program was started by Anton’s Cleaners, working in conjunction with several promotional partners—including Wicked Local and the Malden Observer.

A fifth grade science teacher, Sullivan started the Salemwood drive four years ago, after seeing an advertisement for the annual Anton’s drive.

“It’s a great way to give back, and sometimes our own kids at Salemwood are recipients of the jackets,” she said.
Sullivan said the Salemwood drive typically collects 150-200 jackets. She said the first jacket drives ran only through Christmas, but the drive was soon extended into January.

I had people who called after the holidays, asking if we were still taking jackets,” she said. “A lot of people get new jackets for Christmas and want to donate their old one.”

Acceptable items for the drive include: warm winter jackets that have been slightly used and are of good quality—basically the kid of coat one would give a friend. All sizes are needed, especially XL and pre-K sizes.

Unacceptable items include coats with rips, tears, broken zippers or permanent stains. Sweatshirts, vests, and spring coats are not accepted.

Jacket or coats can be dropped off to the Salemwood School K-4 or 5-8 office until Jan. 19.
For more information about the program, contact Kathy Sullivan or call the school (781) 388-0647.

Read more: Salemwood gives the gift of warmth – Malden, Massachusetts – Malden Observer