Colts Game Day Coat Collection
The Salvation Army is returning to Lucas Oil Stadium for a special game day collection before the Colts' season opener against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, September 12. Volunteers will be stationed on all sides of the stadium from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.to collect new and gently used coats from Colts fans. This will be the largest single-day collection in support of the annual Coats for Kids program, which gives out thousands of hats, coats, and gloves to central Indiana children each October.
Colts fans are asked to bring with them coats in all sizes - from infant through teen - in order to help The Salvation Army reach its goal of collecting 4,000 coats ahead of the October distribution. The need is great in our community, and it is anticipated that around 2,500 children will be served this fall through the annual program.
For 35 years, The Salvation Army and WTHR have led the Coats for Kids program, helping families in need keep their children warm and safe through the long winter months. The event officially kicked off on August 30 with the start of coat collections at seventeen central Indiana Classic Cleaners locations. Locations can be found at ClassicCleaners.net. Bins will remain out through October 8.
"We at Classic Cleaners love doing our part to keep central Indiana's kids warm, and our people relish the opportunity to give back in such an impactful way," said Classic Cleaners GM and partner Steve Arnold. "Coats for Kids is an amazing example of what we can do when local businesses, charities, and people come together to address problems pressing our community. We can't wait to see all those happy faces on distribution day!"
In addition to coats, the volunteers will also be collecting cash donations, which will be used to buy additional coats in needed sizes. Volunteers are still needed for the Colts game day collection, so head to SalvationArmyIndiana.org/Volunteer to get involved.
If you are unable to drop off a coat at Classic Cleaners or at Sunday's Colts game, The Salvation Army's "Online Coat Shop" makes it easy to donate cash to support the program. You can donate online to Coats for Kids this year by
Visiting SalvationArmyIndiana.org/coats-for-kids and clicking the red "Donate to Coats for Kids" button
Texting the word HOOSIER to 24365 to receive the link for the Online Coat Shop
Scanning the QR code on register display cards at each Classic Cleaners location
In addition to a warm winter coat, each child that comes to Coats for Kids will receive a winter hat and gloves. These hats and gloves are provided through the generous support of the Murphy Family, longtime supporters of Coats for Kids and volunteers for The Salvation Army.
NOTE: Families interested in signing their kids up to receive coats on October 16 will need to register in advance this year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, The Salvation Army will be using a timed entrance system. On October 16, families will be able to enter the Blue Ribbon Pavilion no earlier than 30 minutes before their ticketed time in order to limit the number of people in the building at once. Online registration for Coats for Kids opens on September 27. A link will be available at that time on our Coats for Kids webpage.