Monsignor Gene Gianelli Coats for Kids Drive

WOODBRIDGE, CT - The 6th Annual Knights of Columbus “Coats for Kids” program is sponsored by Trinity Council 5467 in Woodbridge. This year, in honor to Monsignor Gianelli, they are naming the coat drive "Monsignor Gene Gianelli Coats for Kids Drive."

The purpose of this coat initiative is to provide warmth for children in need during the cold winter months ahead. The goal of the Coats for Kids program is to ensure that no child in North America goes without a coat during the winter season. This program started in 2015 when the Knights distributed 36 new boys and girls winter coats. In 2019, they reached historic heights and distributed 540 coats to individual families, schools, parishes and service organizations in Ansonia, Bethany, Bridgeport, Milford, New Haven, Oxford, Wallingford, West Haven and Woodbridge.

In 2019, under Bob Ellis' leadership, they were able to raise $11,250. This year, they would like to meet or exceed last year's coat drive and distribute 600 coats to needy children throughout New Haven County. To achieve this goal, the council will need to raise $12,500. Each box of 12 coats cost $250.

If you would like to make a donation of any amount to help purchase these coats, please mail your check, payable to the Trinity Council 5467, and send it to Patrick Early Jr., 18 Anthony Court, Bethany, CT 06524 by October 17th to assist them with planning.

Since the program's inception in 2009, 697,468 coats have been distributed in the United States and Canada, including military bases, in Native American communities, in inner-city neighborhoods and through partnerships with local police departments. In 2019-2020, 2,144 Councils distributed a total of 124,211 coats.

Please contact Pat Early (203-393-1034 or 203-376-6377) if you have questions or if you know of families with children who could benefit from receiving a new winter coat. The coats will be distributed between October 17 and December 18.