Keystone Club Planning Fourth Annual Coat Drive

The Redding Boys & Girls Club Keystone Club is proud to announce that they have added a bit of a twist to the Fourth Annual Button Up Connecticut Coat Drive.  

The Keystoners and Button Up Connecticut will be launching this year's collection of new and used coats for our less fortunate neighbors throughout Connecticut at Redding's Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony which will be held this Saturday, December 3rd on the Redding Town Green.  

Keystone members Katherine Acocella, a senior at Joel Barlow who brought Button Up Connecticut to Redding four years ago and Kendall Kramer, a junior and Vice President of the Keystone Club have teamed up to coordinate this year's event in order for the program to maintain consistency following Ms. Acocella's graduation next spring.  

"We hope to increase the number of coats we've collected in the past and by adding the Tree Lighting ceremony to our collection dates should really help to bring the true spirit of the holiday season into the hearts of Redding residents", stated Acocella, "and when I proposed the idea to First Selectman Ketcham, she responded immediately and with the full support of the town", added Acocella.   Ms. Acocella is excited to be working on this project with Ms. Kramer. The pair are close friends and teammates on the Barlow Field Hockey team.   

"I am excited to be co-chairing this important event", said Ms. Kramer. "It has been one of the most successful Keystone events and the result of the club's efforts and generosity shown by our Redding neighbors is what the holiday season is all about".  

The club has been increasing their annual collections by adding different sources each year. 

Last year, Redding Elementary and Weston High School's collections were added and the Keystoners will be looking to bring another area school into the program. 

The Keystone Club will be adding two collection days during the Saturday RCC in-house basketball program this winter and will be increasing their collections to include additional clothing and sports related items.  

Siracusa Moving & Storage of New Britain and Dan Siracusa, CEO and founder of Button Up Connecticut 20 year's ago have committed to have a moving van on site at the tree lighting in order to deliver the coats much earlier this year.  

"We have really enjoyed working with Katherine and the Keystone Club these past few years" said Siracusa. "The town of Redding should be very proud that young people like Katherine, Kendall and club members are willing to step up and help those less fortunate at this very important time of year".  

Button Up Connecticut is co-sponsored by Siracusa and The United Way and continues to help our less fortunate neighbors by keeping them warm during the cold winter seasons in Connecticut. 

Button Up Connecticut has collected over 150,000 coats and is committed to continuing its' partnership with the Keystone Club.  

"The support we've received form Ms. Ketcham, Ms. Anderson (Laura from Parks and Rec) and Mr. Siracusa is so appreciated by the Keystone Club, and we hope to make this year's collection a record setting event," noted Acocella.