This Friday, December 14, 2012, WRAL-TV will broadcast its 24th Annual Coats for the Children Telethon, raising money to buy new, warm winter clothing and undergarments for Salvation Army children in need.
Telethon operators will accept pledges from 6:00am until 8:00pm. The telethon includes two half-hour specials at 1:00pm and 7:00pm.
WRAL is asking the public to donate clean coats and other winter clothing items including gently used gloves, hats, and new long underwear, t-shirts and socks to completely outfit a child for the winter months. Any size coat will be accepted; however, larger sizes for teens and infant sizes are in particular demand.
WRAL is also collecting new toys again this year. During the last few years, the Salvation Army has seen a huge increase in the number of families signing up for its December ‘Toy Shop’ program. Donations are needed to help reach their goal to provide two new toys to each child whose family has requested help through the Salvation Army’s Toy Shop.
“Warmth is contagious,” says Major Pete Costas, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of Wake County. “When you provide a coat for a child in need, or even a toy for a child to open on Christmas morning, that warmth spreads – through a smile, through a friendly greeting, or through a simple gesture of kindness – so that more lives are affected for good. The Salvation Army is thankful that, through the generosity of the community, we can make a difference in countless lives this holiday season.”
Credit card donations can be made online through December 31 by going to WRAL.com and searching keyword “Coats.” Other information such as coat drop-off locations, participating Salvation Army branches, telethon thank you gifts, and general campaign details can also be found on WRAL.com. Donations can also be made with your phone. Text “Coats” to 85944 to donate $10 to the Coats for the Children campaign.
Since 1989, WRAL-TV has collected nearly 143,000 coats and raised $1,289,800 to provide winter clothing for Salvation Army families.
“In both good and tough economic times, we have a very generous community. I am pleased we are able to be working with the Salvation Army in this, our 24th year for Coats for the Children to help meet the growing need,” says WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Steven D. Hammel.
WRAL-TV thanks its community partners, Jiffy Lube and First Citizens Bank, for their support of this project.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Tullos for contributions to this capcom story.
