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.<\/p>\n
Every year, hundreds of Anton\u2019s 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\u2019s wants to ensure that the coats reach those in need and improve the lives of those in the communities it serves, and beyond.<\/p>\n
\u201cCoats 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.\u201d<\/em> \u201cI can only say that so many of our clients would be without decent, warm and clean coats with out the coats for kids program.\u201d<\/em> As a result, Anton\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Place, Catholic Charities, Children\u2019s Services and Boston University Medical Center: Outreach Van Project among others.<\/p>\n Promotional Partners FOX25, Jordan\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n To all our partners, thank you!<\/strong><\/p>\n MA Hospital School, Canton, MA.\u00a0<\/strong> Boutwell School, Wilmington, MA.\u00a0<\/strong>
\n– Room to Grow<\/p>\n
\n– Community Action Programs, Inter-City, Inc.<\/p>\n
\nApplause for School Rewards\u2122 winners!<\/h1>\n
Elementary Schools<\/h3>\n
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1st Place<\/h4>\n
\nThe school received $1,200 in furnishings from Jordan\u2019s Furniture; 100 IMAX Tickets, and a chance to be featured in the 2013-2014 Coats for Kids campaign.<\/p>\n2nd Place<\/h4>\n
\nThe school received a $500 to purchase school supplies and books for their library.<\/p>\n3rd Place<\/h4>\n