The family-led coat drive that launched four years ago continues to expand drop-off locations and grow partnerships with leading companies.
Coats of Kindness collects and delivers new and gently worn coats and winter accessories of all sizes to local charities. Each year the charity collects about 10,000 items. Drop-off boxes can be found inside 54 businesses, churches, and schools throughout the Twin Cities. This season’s drive runs from Nov. 2 to Dec. 14.
New this year is a partnership with Werner Electric who will be donating space in their trucks to collect and haul the coat donations to selected charities.
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“We are blessed by much kindness and generosity from many area companies, schools and individuals who support us in fulfilling our mission – delivering warmth to those in need,” said founder Karen Wenzel.
Wenzel and her husband, Eric, who is the owner of Wenzel Financial Services in Cottage Grove, founded the coat drive with a small volunteer board of directors in 2011 as a way to give back to the community that supported Eric during a serious battle with cancer. Running a coat drive as large as Coats of Kindness is a lot of work for the small group. The organization relies on volunteers and donations to collect and deliver winter items as well as manage mini-coat drives in neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
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“Our mission at Coats of Kindness is to teach our children and others about the importance of giving back to the community and to know that a simple act, such as donating a coat can change someone's life,” said founder Karen Wenzel. “We are sometimes overwhelmed, but extremely happy to see the coat drive expand this year spreading even more warmth and kindness.”
Find out more about becoming a volunteer, how to donate, and full listing of 54 drop off locations at the Coats of Kindness website: www.coatsofkindess.org or by calling 612-567-COAT.
