Red Oak Sourcing Donates 70 Warm Winter Coats to Coats for Kids

Pictured left to right: Arthur Anton Jr., CFO, Anton's Cleaners joins Red Oak Sourcing employees Chrissie Landrigan, Deb Wells, and Dan Rocha at a recent donation in the Canton Anton's Cleaners of 70 coats, most of them brand new and purchased with the $700 collected year-round by returning recyclable cans and a company matching program.

Ending January 6th, Coats for Kids and its legion of caring collection partners and distribution network is sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture and Enterprise Bank. In 2018, the organization reached a poignant milestone: one million coats collected and distributed since the program began in 1995… 1,027,625, to be exact.

“As our 24th annual coat drive is underway and surpassed our one million coat milestone, we can be proud of the simple, singular focus of the Caring Partners mission: anyone who needs a coat, will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “It is an enormous collaborative effort to bring together nearly 1000 local partners -- schools, companies, clubs, and nonprofits – to help neighbors in need. Together, we collect, clean and distribute over 40,000 winter coats to help babies, kids and adults who otherwise wouldn't be able to keep themselves warm this winter.”

Since coats are a necessity for both adults and kids, all donated coats are cleaned free of charge by Anton’s Cleaners and distributed through distribution partners made up of major local nonprofit and social service agencies such as Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, Women’s Lunch Place, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Strafford County Community Action, Catholic Charities, and many more.

Coats for Kids accepts warm winter coats that are gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor can we accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats. Coats are accepted through January 6th at all 42 Anton's Cleaners, six Jordan's Furniture stores, and 23 Enterprise Bank branches.

“Every year, the kindness of our customers who donate thousands of gently used coats continues to floor us," says Eliot Tatelman, Jordan's Furniture President and CEO. "We are proud to continue our support to Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids, helping families in the communities we serve.”

Coats for Kids is New England's largest coat drive, with more than 250 school groups making up one half of all collections in 2017. Local public, parochial and independent schools experience the rewards of community service and get incentivized through the School Rewards Program™ offering editable promotional flyers and great prizes to the schools who collect the most coats per capita – leveling the playing field so everyone has a chance to win. See website for registration form and details: http://antons.com/cfk/get-involved/register-your-school/.

"We are truly honored to be involved in Caring Partners' year-round community relations programs, Coats for Kids and Belle of the Ball," said Jack Clancy, CEO of Enterprise Bank. "Financial hardship can create a difficult series of choices, including prioritizing food and winter outerwear. Coats for Kids ensures that anyone who needs a warm winter coat will have one, a mission we fully support. Our Enterprise Bank branches are ready to receive your drop offs and are proud to support this worthy cause."

Partners for this year’s Coats for Kids drive include Anton's Cleaners, Jordan's Furniture, Enterprise Bank, Boston 25 Cares, WickedLocal, Kiss 108FM, Jam'n 94.5, 101.7 The Bull, WBZ 1030, The New 97.7, WRKO, and 100.7 WZLX.

For more information, visit contact Stephanie Littlefield, Anton’s Cleaners Community Relations, at 978-851-3721 x15 or Stephanie@antons.com.

To register your school or company online to participate or donate, or for more information, visit http://antons.com/cfk. Follow Coats for Kids on Facebook and Twitter (@antons_cfk).