FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 15 , 2001
For more information, contact
Loretta Harper-Arnold, Community Relations Director 919-821-8652
WRAL Continues A Tradition of Giving:
13th Annual “Coats for the Children” Warms the Hearts of Families In Need
Raleigh, N.C. – Now in its 13th year, WRAL’s Coats for the Children continues its tradition of providing coats and other winter clothing items for Salvation Army families in need. Beginning November 17th through December 31st, WRAL-TV and its community partners, Jiffy Lube and Alltel, invite the public to donate new or used coats in good condition at any of their locations in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsboro, Sanford and Henderson.
Since 1989, WRAL-TV5 with community-wide support has collected over 60,000 coats and over $500,000 to help Salvation Army families weather the cold winter months. “In my 35 years as a Salvation Army officer, I have seen very few community programs reach the level of success as WRAL’s Coats for the Children. Since my June arrival to the Raleigh community, I have been overwhelmed by the sense of togetherness that is so prevalent in Wake County and neighboring communities. A common sentiment seen worldwide since September 11th,” said Major Al Smith, Salvation Army of Wake County.
In addition to the need for clean coats, WRAL is asking the public to donate other winter clothing items including; used gloves, hats, new underwear, t-shirts and socks to completely outfit a child for the winter months. Any size coat is accepted, however larger sizes for teens and adults are in particular demand this year. Last year’s Coats for the Children campaign resulted in 5,000 donated coats and over $100,000 in monetary donations, all of which benefited Salvation Army families.
On Friday, December 7th, WRAL-TV5 will broadcast a daylong “Coats For The Children Telethon” to raise money to buy warm winter clothing and undergarments. Telethon operators will accept pledges from 6:00 am until midnight and online donations will be accepted at www.wral.com. The telethon includes three half-hour specials at 12:30 pm, 8:30 pm, and 11:35 pm. In addition to television coverage, live broadcast remotes will be held in Raleigh and Fayetteville.
WRAL-TV5 is appreciative of the longtime support from viewers and community partners Jiffy Lube and Alltel. Special thanks also to Long Transportation, Baker Roofing, Metro Productions, and A Cleaner World who volunteer their services for coat transportation, storage, project signage, and dry-cleaning.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL-Digital, WRAL-FM, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, DTV Plus, Wolfpack Sports Marketing, and Capitol Sports Management in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WWWB-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and the Durham Bulls Baseball Club in Durham, NC; and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans Baseball Club in Myrtle Beach, SC; Capitol Broadcasting Company also founded Local TV on Satellite in Raleigh, NC.
