Coats for Kids celebrates 25 years [moncler outerwear]
wenty-five years ago, Jack Brown was at a dry cleaning conference when he heard a great idea.
A Milwaukee company called Spic and Span was cleaning and giving away free coats to children whose families couldn't afford to buy them one. Brown, who owned a chain of dry cleaners, brought the idea to Austin.
A quarter-century later, Austin's Coats for Kids project has distributed more than 600,000 coats to children across Central Texas.
"I feel like this is part of Austin," said Amber Brabham with the Junior League of Austin, which runs the annual event. "It's like 'Keep Austin Weird.' It's part of who we are."
Coats for Kids began in 1986 . After returning from his dry cleaning conference, Brown, now 83 , pitched his idea to three community partners: Goodwill Industries, KASE 101 and KVUE . All signed on.
Community members donated the coats. Jack Brown Cleaners dry cleaned them. KASE 101 and KVUE handled promotion. And Goodwill helped store and distribute the coats.
That first year, 2,500 to 3,000 coats were distributed, Brown said. And the project grew from there.
In 1997 , Goodwill Industries dropped out of the effort, saying the project didn't fit its mission of job training and placement. So the Junior League took over.
From now until Dec. 7 , people may drop off coats at donation boxes at any Jack Brown Cleaners. Those coats will be turned over to the Junior League, which stores, sorts, hangs and distributes the coats at the Palmer Events Center.
The Junior League works with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, school districts and several social service agencies to identify children eligible for coats.
Last year, more than 2,600 Coats for Kids volunteers distributed about 35,000 new and gently used coats to low-income families. Coats that are left over are donated to local organizations such as SafePlace, which has a shelter for battered women.
Distribution day is always a good day, Brown said.
"I've seen the kids come wrapped in towels and sheets and about everything else," he said. "They just don't have a coat, and they leave with one. It's been a great experience."
A Milwaukee company called Spic and Span was cleaning and giving away free coats to children whose families couldn't afford to buy them one. Brown, who owned a chain of dry cleaners, brought the idea to Austin.
A quarter-century later, Austin's Coats for Kids project has distributed more than 600,000 coats to children across Central Texas.
"I feel like this is part of Austin," said Amber Brabham with the Junior League of Austin, which runs the annual event. "It's like 'Keep Austin Weird.' It's part of who we are."
Coats for Kids began in 1986 . After returning from his dry cleaning conference, Brown, now 83 , pitched his idea to three community partners: Goodwill Industries, KASE 101 and KVUE . All signed on.
Community members donated the coats. Jack Brown Cleaners dry cleaned them. KASE 101 and KVUE handled promotion. And Goodwill helped store and distribute the coats.
That first year, 2,500 to 3,000 coats were distributed, Brown said. And the project grew from there.
In 1997 , Goodwill Industries dropped out of the effort, saying the project didn't fit its mission of job training and placement. So the Junior League took over.
From now until Dec. 7 , people may drop off coats at donation boxes at any Jack Brown Cleaners. Those coats will be turned over to the Junior League, which stores, sorts, hangs and distributes the coats at the Palmer Events Center.
The Junior League works with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, school districts and several social service agencies to identify children eligible for coats.
Last year, more than 2,600 Coats for Kids volunteers distributed about 35,000 new and gently used coats to low-income families. Coats that are left over are donated to local organizations such as SafePlace, which has a shelter for battered women.
Distribution day is always a good day, Brown said.
"I've seen the kids come wrapped in towels and sheets and about everything else," he said. "They just don't have a coat, and they leave with one. It's been a great experience."
2011-11-28 11:59
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