Coats for Kids Drive

Anton’s Cleaners has launched its 14th annual Coats for Kids winter coat collection drive, with the goal set for this year’s collection at 60,000 coats. Now the largest coat drive of its kind in the Northeast, the program runs through Dec. 31. All donated coats may be dropped of at any Anton's Cleaners or Jordan's Furniture location.

“Coats for Kids faces some unique obstacles this year because of the times we live in,” says Charles A. Anton, CEO of Anton’s Cleaners. “But Coats for Kids has become a true community event over the years, involving schools, businesses, and local residents, all of whom want to help those in need. This year we face our biggest challenge. But by coming together to help those who need our help the most, I know we can make this winter more bearable for our friends and neighbors.”

Coats for Kids consistently exceeds expectations, as each year new records for donations are set. Last year, 68,588 coats were collected and donated to those in need. In addition, Anton’s Cleaners cleans all of the coats free of charge before they are distributed, which last year represented $937,049 in donated cleaning costs. Once collected and cleaned, coats will be distributed through the Coats for Kids Distribution Partners network, which includes organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Massachusetts Community Action Program (MASSCAP), Cradles to Crayons, Southern New Hampshire Services, Lowell Wish Project, Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Mass Bay, Community Giving Tree, and the Boston University Medical Center: Outreach Van Project, among others.

“It’s our ultimate goal to make sure that everyone who needs a warm winter coat this season has one,” says Anton. “We need coats that are in useable condition when we receive them, free of rips, missing buttons, permanent stains or broken zippers. And we want to emphasize that along with coats for kids, we are also collecting coats for adults and babies.”

Anton’s Cleaners is once again sponsoring Coats for Kids with the support of its Promotional Partners, FOX25, WROR, Comcast Spotlight and Jordan’s Furniture, which will be opening up its four locations - in Avon, Natick and Reading, and Nashua, N.H. — as drop-off points for coats. In addition, Jordan’s Furniture will donate $1,200 worth of furniture to the winning elementary and middle schools in the School Rewards Program, as well as tickets to its IMAX theatre for the winning middle school. The School Rewards Program promotes the collection in elementary and middle schools, which continue to be a driving force behind Coats for Kids. Last year, more than 280 schools registered in the program. Schools competed for prizes with the top three schools collecting the highest number of coats per students enrolled receiving prizes. These prizes include school supply gift certificates, pizza parties, ice cream sundae parties, and visits from a FOX25 meteorologist. Returning as Supporting Partners this year are Citizens Bank, Graham Communications and Package Supply Corporation.

To find the Anton's Cleaners location to drop off donations, register to become a Corporate or Supporting Partner or to register an elementary or middle school, or boy scout/girl scout troop for participation in the School Rewards competition, visit www.antons.com or call the Coats for Kids hotline, 1-800-659-0069.

Anton’s Cleaners is a family-owned, Massachusetts business that first opened its doors in Lowell, in 1913. Today, 95 years later, the company has 43 dry cleaning stores throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire.