Virtual Coat Drive Benefits Salvation Army Clients
Thank you so much to everyone who donated to the WFMZ and Lehigh Valley Phantoms Coat Drive this year. We are pleased to announce that we raised $12,000! That is enough money to purchase 230 brand new children's coats plus brand new coats to 25 families of 5. We are overwhelmed by the support and generosity of our community.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we weren't able to hold our coat drive in-person at the PPL Center like we normally do, but you the need is incredibly high, so we went virtual to help the Salvation Army Foster Care and Adoption Services. The coats will be handed out at a drive-thru Christmas party for foster families in December, and through other Lehigh Valley Salvation Army programs
Officials at the Salvation Army say they've come to rely on the WFMZ and Lehigh Valley Phantoms Coat Drive to help keep everyone in our area warm for the winter.
"The WFMZ and Lehigh Valley Phantoms coat drive is a local project that is near and dear to our hearts. There are many families in our neighborhood who go without every day. To be able to provide them with something as basic as a coat to keep them warm during the cold winter months is invaluable. We are honored to be the recipient of a program that helps us serve so many people in need," said Major Ismael Correa, Allentown Corps Officer.
If you were unable to make a monetary donation for a new coat, but would still like to donate a gently used coat, click here for information on donating directly to the Salvation Army.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Every year folks like you join WFMZ-TV and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at the PPL Center to help keep kids warm. But this year because of COVID-19, the coat drive is virtual. Online donations will be used to buy new coats for families in need and foster kids. "Many of the kids who come into foster care come in with nothing. They come in with only what they're wearing and maybe they've carried a couple of things," said Angie Gillen with the Salvation Army.
One of the foster kids on the list for a coat is 2-year-old JuJu. Foster mom Rebecca Davis has several foster kids and four of her own. Davis says she's thankful for the help. "It's just a huge blessing," Davis said.
The Salvation Army says some of the coats will go to kids referred by local schools.
"Or just families calling who know that we do this annual drive every year and are kind of counting on that coat or that jacket for the kids to kind of help stretch their dollars," said Darien Huaman with the Salvation Army. Families like the Thurmons. Maureen Thurmon is a working mom with four kids who says watching them pick out coats warms her heart. "Without this program we would go maybe into December and taking away from their toys for Christmas," Thurmon said.
To donate go to WFMZ.com click on the coat drive icon and select how much you want to give.
$25 buys one kid's coat, and $250 keeps a family warm this winter.
Original Source: WFMZ-TV