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The Salvation Army of Alaska held its annual Coats for Kids distribution, providing winter gear for hundreds of children in the Anchorage area.
The donation collection, spanning August and September, brought in more than 700 jackets. Two donors even stepped up with a cash donation to cover the costs of a couple dozen new jackets.
The Salvation Army has been holding the Coats for Kids event for more than a decade.
“We had such overwhelming support this year from all of our partners, said Robert DeBerry, communications manager for The Salvation Army Alaska Division. “It truly was a community effort.”
In total, 392 children left the event with warm jackets, and another 150 took home other articles of winter gear, such as gloves, hats and snow pants.
The remaining coats will be distributed to various corps throughout the Anchorage and Wasilla area, including McKinnell House, the Anchorage Korean Corps and the Mat-Su Valley Corps. This will enable the Salvation Army to get warm jackets into the hands of area youth before the onset of winter.
“The remaining jackets will be distributed throughout the Salvation Army’s different local corps so everyone who needs a coat can get one,” said Anchorage Social Services Director Lt. Denice Delgado. “That is a wonderful thing.”
Coats for Kids partners included: Fireweed Dry Cleaning, 6th Ave. Outfitters, Fred Meyer, Alaska USA, Bass Pro Shop, Alaska Club, Able Body Shop, Atwood Bldg. VFW Post 9785, Body Renew, ACF Church, Kriner’s Burgers and Pies, American Legion Post #1, Denali Federal Credit Union, The Crossing, Total Truck Accessory Center, Eagle River Automotive, The Crossing, ACF Church and ANTHC.
