WRAL-TV Raises Over $68,000 Through Coats Telethon Donations Being Accepted Through Dec 31st

Volunteers man the phone bank for WRAL’s 22nd Annual Coats for the Children telethon on Friday, Dec 10th.

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As temperatures plummet, the need for warm winter coats for children in the Triangle becomes keener than ever.   WRAL-TV viewers are once again showing their generosity by contributing to the 22nd Annual Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, December 10, 2010.

“When you walk into the telethon studio, you instantly catch the holiday spirit!” said WRAL-TV Director of Local Production Phyllis Parish, the producer of the daylong event.  “Christmas trees, snowflakes, pictures of children bundled up in their warm coats and hats.”

Viewers responded to the on-air pleas and two hour specials during the day with a total of $68,560 in pledges.  The number continues to climb with ongoing donations via WRAL.com.  If you’d still like to give, search “Coats” on WRAL.com or text your contribution. Viewers may donate through December 31st.

WRAL-TV’s Steve Elizondo (right) snaps a picture of WRAL-TV’s Phyllis Parish iwth Santa.

WRAL-TV’s Loretta Harper-Arnold (left) helps Smart Shopper Faye Prosser get set up for some Q&As as thank you gifts for viewers who pledge.

“Our goal is to brighten the holidays for the Salvation Army families,” said Parish.  “We hope to make their holidays, and winter months ahead, more joyful, and much warmer!  

“It’s been so cold during the past two weeks, I wanted to take advantage of the cold weather we were having,” continued Parish.  “Nothing says COLD like Fountain Mountain, outside the station! For the telethon, we added faux snow flurries and an ice skating rink around the fountain.  I think those elements helped our viewers remember the frigid temps we’ve had.  And we know there are very cold days ahead, including this week.”

As temperatures struggle to get above freezing and snow flurries have been spotted in the WRAL viewing area, we want to help keep children warm.  New and gently used coats are also being accepted at the station, as well as area Jiffy Lube and First Citizens Bank locations.  Find a detailed list of drop-off locations here.

“When our anchors share the need, our viewers respond,” said Parish.  “They are always very generous.  We thank them for helping us make it a warmer winter for hundreds of Salvation Army families.”

WRAL kicks off the Coats for the Children campaign each year with the Raleigh Christmas Parade and runs the collection through December 31st.  The telethon has become a staple of the event, drawing attention to this important project.

“The Coats Telethon is one of my favorite projects of the year!” said Parish.  “Every WRAL-TV department is involved and you feel the collaborative spirit throughout the project.  My colleagues and I realize how blessed we all are, so we work that much harder to broadcast a fun telethon that raises a large amount for those families in our viewing area who are less fortunate.”