Phoenixville Auto Dealer Contributes To Donation Of 45,000 Coats For Needy Children

In its ninth year, new vehicle dealers in the five-county Philadelphia area will donate a record number of 45,070 free new coats to less fortunate children this fall through the Driving Away the Cold program, a philanthropic initiative of the Philadelphia Auto Show and the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, a press release states.

This year’s contribution brings the cumulative total to 265,252 new coats given to children in the five-county Philadelphia region since 2008, according to organizers.

The program will distribute a total of 5,922 new coats in Chester County specifically, with a delivery of more than 1,482 new coats on Tuesday, October 11 to the West Chester YMCA, organizers said.

“It’s staggering to think that one in six children in the five-county area of Philadelphia live in poverty. This equates to more than 174,000 children. Sadly, a new winter coat is one of the essential items these children often live without. Through our Driving Away the Cold effort, we are trying to change that,” said Don Franks of JL Freed Honda and president of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, in a statement.

Of the 175 dealerships that participated in this year’s effort, 38 are located in Chester County including:

• Anthony D'Ambrosio Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram
• Audi Devon
• Audi West Chester
• BMW of Devon
• Brian Hoskins Ford
• Colonial Hyundai
• Courtesy Chrysler Jeep
• Del Chevrolet
• Del Toyota
• Devon Nissan
• Euro Motorcars Devon
• Exton Nissan
• Faulkner Buick-GMC West Chester
• Fred Beans Ford Lincoln of West Chester
• Fred Beans Volkswagen
• Garnet Volkswagen
• Infiniti of West Chester
• Jaguar Land Rover West Chester
• John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville
• Kelly Chevrolet
• Keystone Volvo – Berwyn
• Kia of Coatesville
• Kia of West Chester
• Lexus of Chester Springs
• Maserati of The Main Line
• Matthews Paoli Ford
• McLaren Philadelphia
• Mercedes-Benz of West Chester
• Otto's BMW
• Otto's MINI
• Piazza Acura of West Chester
• Roberts Chevrolet
• Roberts Honda
• Roberts Subaru
• Scott Honda of West Chester
• Sloan Ford
• Sloane Toyota Scion of Malvern
• Stillman Volvo

According to organizers, the coats will be distributed through more than 125 different social services agencies, shelters, after-school programs, regional YMCAs, and more.

Patch file photo.