11,400 Coats Donated To Montgomery County Kids Via 'Driving Away The Cold'

EAST NORRITON, PA — Nearly 12,000 coats will be delivered to children around Montgomery County thanks to a collaborative charitable effort by hundreds of local auto dealers.

The "Driving Away the Cold" program is organized by the Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Initiative. It brings together 180 local auto dealers to help keep needy children warm over the winter.

A total of 50,000 coats will be distributed throughout the region to children in poverty, recognized as a family of four living on an annual income below $24,650.

“By providing these children with the simple ‘gift’ of a new winter coat, it helps them get to school every day for learning and, in some cases, the only two hot meals they have that day,” said Donald Franks of JL Freed Honda and president of the Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation, in a statement. “A winter coat is something that all kids deserve. Driving Away the Cold is our way of making life a little bit better one child at a time.”

The program will launch by distributing 600 coats at upcoming stops on Friday, Oct. 20 at the Indian Valley YMCA at 11:30 a.m. and the North Penn YMCA at 12:30 p.m.

Patch file photo