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Students, parents and grandparents were hauling bags full of winter clothing out of the Bishop Klein school’s gym today, during Rock 102’s 16th annual Coats for Kids fundraiser.
The fundraiser, that collects winter clothing for underprivileged families, broke a record with 2,342 coats donated this year.
Executive director of Care and Share, a partner of the fundraiser, Sandi Meldrum, praised the listeners of Rock 102 for this years big numbers.
“I think the radio station really worked hard as they do every year, but the listeners must have been on top of it because that’s who gives all the coats, is the people that listen to Rock 102,” she said.
“So to see 2,000 coats here today that means 2,000 children are going to be warm this winter. And families go through so much stress with trying to pay the bills and so on, this is one thing they don’t have to worry about now. That’s what makes me feel good.”
According to Meldrum, providing kids with winter clothing can be influential in helping the kids learn.
“If a child is not coming to school, the school will find out why and the parents will say well it’s too cold out, so if you can’t get to school you can’t get an education, so by giving them a coat and winter boots and mitts that gets them to school and that’s the whole purpose of this,” she said.
“Have them enjoy school — they can go outside and play at recess. We just grew up having coats, many of us, we take it for granted but that’s all it is. Let’s keep these kids warm.”
Principal of Bishop Klein school, Burton Harper said there was a lot of excitement from the kids to get their new winter jackets.
“They called it shopping these little guys, but they enjoyed it and they enjoyed being here and having a chance to feel like they can just pick out a coat,” he said.
Harper said the leftover coats get put in their community room and are available for anyone who needs them throughout the year.
Through other fundraisers and promotions, Rock 102 also raised $15,000 for Care and Share.