Coats needed: Caring Partners Coats for Kids & Families runs to 1/5/25

For Immediate Release

Public Contact: Stephanie Littlefield,

Stephanie@antons.com or 978-851-3721 x15

Coats of all sizes needed: Caring Partners' Coats for Kids & Families seeks winter coat donations through January 5, 2025

50,000 warm winter coats are needed to fulfill one mission: “Anyone who needs a coat will have one.”

TEWKSBURY, Mass. – As the price of everyday items like groceries and gasoline continue to rise and temperatures start to drop, families struggling with expenses may find that a warm winter coat is a necessity that isn’t in the budget. This year, thousands of children and adults may otherwise not have access to warm winter coats this winter. As New England’s largest coat drive for nearly 30 years, Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids & Families collects gently used coats of all sizes and for all ages from October 7th, 2024 through January 5th, 2025. After collection, the coats are professionally cleaned by Anton’s and given to local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools for distribution. Due to the economy, 50,000 warm coats are needed to help those adults and children who may not be able to afford a winter coat this year.

School groups, corporations, communities, neighborhoods, and kind individuals are all welcome to donate coats for children and adults at any Anton's Cleaners, Jordan's Furniture, and Enterprise Bank locations now through January 5th.

Sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, and Jordan's Furniture, Coats for Kids & Families has collected, cleaned, and distributed 1,810,839 free coats at more than 70 collection locations and events since the program began in 1995.

Coats for Kids & Families accepts warm winter coats that are new or 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 does the drive accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats, boots, scarves, or gloves.

“Today more than ever, we are proud to spend three decades giving back directly to the community through Caring Partners. For 30 years, we have never wavered from our mission: anyone who needs a coat will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “Companies, schools, nonprofits, and clubs work hard every year to help us collect, clean, and distribute 50,000 winter coats to anyone who needs one.”

According to Eliot Tatelman, President of Jordan’s Furniture, “Jordan’s is happy to continue our support of Coats for Kids & Families by collecting coats and ensuring that anyone who needs a warm, winter coat will have one. Additionally, by donating funds for the popular School Rewards Program, Jordan’s Furniture provides an extra incentive for schools while teaching students the importance of supporting area families in their community. We are proud to, again, be a part of this wonderful program.”

“We are honored to support Coats for Kids & Families in their mission to collect, clean, and distribute warm winter coats to those in need,” said Alison Burns, Community Relations Director of Enterprise Bank. “Year after year, we are moved and humbled by the outpouring of support and generosity from our customers and communities, and by the efforts and contributions of our very own Enterprise family.”

School groups are critical to the program’s success. Each year, more than 200 dedicated school groups are responsible for half of all coat collections. Local public, parochial, and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™ offering six generous prizes to top-placing schools who collect the most coats – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. Public, parochial, and independent schools may participate. Any school who wins a prize for three consecutive years will have one year of ineligibility. See the website for the registration form and details: antons.com/cfk.

Partners for this year’s Coats for Kids & Families drive include Anton's Cleaners, Enterprise Bank, Jordan's Furniture, Boston 25, KISS 108, JAM’N 94.5, 101.7 The Bull, 100.7 WZLX, WRKO, and WBZ News Radio.

All donated coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s and distributed (never sold) through distribution partners made up of major local nonprofit and social service agencies. Past partners include: Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, Women’s Lunch Place, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Strafford County Community Action, Catholic Charities, and more.

For more information, 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://antons.com/cfk.

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