13 WTHR IndianapolisBob Gregory’s Coats for Kids

Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids

Coats for Kids  –  helping to keep children warm

Thank you so much Central Indiana!!! Thanks to you we broke a few records during the 25th anniversary of our Bob Gregory Coats for Kids Campaign. We collected more than 12,000 coats for children in need – a record amount – and we served more kids than ever before! What a blessing you have given our children this year. In the past, we sometimes run out of certain coat sizes on Coat Distribution Day, but your extra generosity this year gave every child a choice this year! We want to give an extra special thank you to Charming Shoppes, an apparel retailer for Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug and Catherines' stores, with a Greencastle Indiana Distribution Center. They donated 6,000 coats to our Central Indiana children. What an amazing gift!

We launch Coats for Kids each year on Labor Day and promote the need for coats up until Coat Distribution Day. This year's Coat Distribution Day took place on Saturday, October 29th, at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Our long term partners, Tuchman Cleaners and the Salvation Army, joined WTHR personalities and a few hundred volunteers to help fit coats on children. The kids were so excited and grateful for your gift of warmth as we head into the winter.

We also want to thank the Indianapolis Colts for holding a special coats collection each year at a home game and for sending cheerleaders and Colts Mascot "Blue" to Coat Distribution Day. Thanks to "Cops 4 Kids" from the Indiana State Police for donating hats and gloves children on Coat Distribution every year. And one more thank you to our viewers for making this WTHR's oldest community service campaign. None of this would be possible with your generous hearts.

Thank you so much for keeping kids warm every winter. The children are always very grateful.