Coats for Kids warms hundreds of Anchorage youth
Anchorage – Saturday’s Coats for Kids distribution provided winter gear for hundreds of children in the Anchorage area. From coats and snow pants to gloves and hats, this year’s event proved to be an overwhelming success.
Donation gathering, which started in early August and ran through September, brought in more than 700 jackets. Two wonderful donors also stepped up with a cash donation which enable the purchase of a couple dozen new jackets. According to Robert DeBerry, communications manager for The Salvation Army Alaska Division, the gracious partners in this event really need to be commended. “We had such overwhelming support this year from all of our partners. It truly was a community effort.”
This year's event provided more than 392 children with warm jackets. In addition, there were another 150 pieces of winter gear, such as gloves, hats and snow pants, given to those in need. From preschool aged children to high school seniors, the community really stepped up and provided jackets that are doing good for those that need them the most. According to The Salvation Army's Anchorage Social Services Director Lt. Denice Delgado, this year's event went well. "We are very thankful for our partners, and others in the community."
This year’s Coats for Kids partners are Fireweed Dry Cleaning, 6th Ave. Outfitters, Fred Meyer, Alaska USA, Bass Pro Shop, Alaska Club, Able Body Shop, Atwood Bldg. VFW Post 9785, Body Renew, ACF Church, Kriner’s Burgers and Pies, American Legion Post #1, Denali Federal Credit Union, The Crossing, Total Truck Accessory Center, Eagle River Automotive, The Crossing, ACF Church and ANTHC.
The remaining coats will be distributed to The Salvation Army’s different Corps located in the Anchorage and Wasilla area. Location such as McKinnell House, Anchorage Korean Corps and the Mat-Su area Corps. This will enable the Salvation Army to get warm jackets into the hands of area youth before the onset of winter.
"The remaining jackets will be distributed throughout the Salvation Army's different local corps." said Delgado. "So everyone who needs a coat can get one. That is a wonderful thing." Delgado said because of the generosity in this year's Coats for Kids the Salvation Army will be able to help assist in keeping people warm this winter.
The Salvation Army Alaska Division has been involved with Coats for kids for more than 10 years.
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About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army, established in London in 1865, has been supporting those in need without discrimination for more than 135 years in the U.S. More than 25 million Americans receive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through a range of social services: food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless, and opportunities for underprivileged children. The Salvation Army tracks the level of need across the country with the Human Needs Index (HumanNeedsIndex.org). The Salvation Army has served survivors of every major national disaster since 1900.
About The Salvation Army in Alaska
The Salvation Army, an evangelic part of the universal Christian church, supports those in need in His name without discrimination, offering spiritual encouragement and basic services to meet the needs of Alaskans in 18 communities. The Salvation Army has been caring for mind, body, spirit and soul of individuals, children and families in Alaska since 1898. In 2017 The Salvation Army has served 300,769 meals, helps more than 7,800 Alaskans monthly, 71,175 bed nights available, 49,612 toys and gifts and more than 11,500 clothing items provided. For more information, please visit Alaska.salvationarmy.org.