Coats for Kids: How to Help East Texas Children Stay Warm This Winter

(East Texas) I can guarantee you this: at the time of this writing, you are definitely not wondering where your jacket or heavy coat is, because with temperatures hovering around in the low 90s, it sure still feels like summer. But give it a couple of months, and you'll be looking for them.

When that time arrives, maybe all you'll have to do is go to your closet and pull whatever keeps you warm for the day. Imagine, though, not being able to grab a coat when it’s 50° or even 29° and you’re walking to school or the bus stop.

For many children in East Texas, that will be the case this year. However, with your assistance, we can all change that. When you participate in the Coats For Kids campaign, we can ensure that kids in Smith and Gregg Counties get the warm winter coats they need.

How the Coats for Kids Campaign Works

In partnership with East Texas area cleaners, P.A.T.H. in Tyler, and Longview Community Ministries, they are hosting the Coats for Kids coat drive campaign. Throughout October, you can drop off a new or gently used coat at any participating East Texas dry cleaner, where it will be cleaned for free and given to P.A.T.H. or Longview Community Ministries to be given to a child in need.

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Who Benefits From the Donations

On November 8, the kids who need a coat can show up at one of the select distribution centers in Tyler or Longview and select a donated coat for free.

Where to Donate Coats in Tyler and Longview

The following dry cleaners are participants in the Coats for Kids campaign:

Tyler

• Progress Cleaners - Bois D'Arc
• Progress Cleaners - ESE Loop 323
• Progress Cleaners - Old Jacksonville Hwy
• The Cleaning Company - Hwy 110
• The Cleaning Company - SSW Loop 323
• The Cleaning Company - Troup Hwy
• The Cleaning Company - Old Jacksonville Hwy
• VIP Cleaners - University Blvd
• VIP Cleaners - Hwy 155
• VIP Cleaners - S Broadway
• VIP Cleaners - Three Lakes Pkwy

Additional participating cleaners in the Tyler and Longview area will be announced when the campaign kicks off on October 1.

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Important Dates and Requirements

Distribution days will be finalized and announced at a later date. Coat recipients will need to provide certain documentation in order to receive a coat on distribution day. See the requirements online at Longview Community Ministries or P.A.T.H.