GIVE A KID A COAT OFF TO A WHOPPING START

Give A Kid A Coat, a campaign that solicits coat donations from area residents in order to provide coats to needy children and adults during the winter, has collected 6,445 coats during the first week of the 2009 campaign. This figure is roughly 22% higher than the number of coats collected during the first week of last year's campaign.

Chris Edwards, President of A Cleaner World, expressed his delight with the results of the first week of this year's campaign. "Triad residents have always been generous," said Edwards. "With unemployment up and families struggling, the need is even greater. But so has been the support. Folks see the hardships and really want to help." To help keep a child warm this winter, simply check your closet for an outgrown coat or a coat no longer being worn, and drop it off at any A Cleaner World location. The coats will be cleaned and repaired free of charge and sent to The Salvation Army for distribution.

Triad Salvation Army locations are gearing up to begin distribution. Greensboro will distribute coats Wednesdays through Fridays beginning November 11 through December 4 at 110 E. Meadowview Road Building E from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. High Point will distribute coats on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning November 3 through December 3 at their Family Life Center on Green Drive from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Winston-Salem will distribute coats on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning November 13 through December 5 at 680 Peters Creek Parkway. For additional distribution information, contact your local Salvation Army office.

The Elementary School Challenge ended on Friday, October 30. A Cleaner World is tallying the points and the winners will be announced Tuesday, November 3.

Give A Kid A Coat is sponsored by A Cleaner World, WGHP/Fox8, 1075KZL, and The Salvation Army. The 2009 campaign ends on Saturday, November 28th. For additional information, contact Barbara Mitchell at 336-841-4188.