For the 27th year, WRAL-TV is working with the Salvation Army to provide warm winter clothing, money and new toys for North Carolina families in need. And for the 27th time, WRAL-TV will broadcast a telethon to raise money to buy warm, winter clothing and new toys for these children.
On Friday, Dec. 11, WRAL-TV will broadcast its 27th Annual Coats for the Children Telethon. Phone lines will be open from 6 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. The telethon includes two live, half-hour specials at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on air and online.
- Credit card donations can be made online now: wral.com/3956064
- Text “Coats” to 41444 to make a secure debit/credit card gift of any amount.
WRAL is asking the public to donate clean coats and other winter clothing items including gently used gloves, hats, 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.
Volunteers work the phone bank for WRAL’s 2014 Coats for the Children Telethon.
“Each of us grabs one on the way out the door each morning. We never stop to think that there are thousands of children out there who just don’t have a coat,” says Major Pete Costas, Commanding Officer of The Salvation Army of Wake County. “The Coats for the Children campaign is essential for these children, and not only that, it’s life-changing. A coat provides more than just warmth. A coat can provide a child hope in their time of need.”
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 family that has requested help.
Now through Dec. 31, clothing and toy collection is at:
- Jiffy Lube locations in Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Durham, Fayetteville, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Spring Lake, Wake Forest and Wilson.
- First Citizens locations in Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Pittsboro, Raleigh, RTP, Wendell and Zebulon.
Other information such as coat drop-off locations, participating Salvation Army branches and general campaign details can also be found on WRAL.com.
Since 1989, WRAL-TV has collected more than 155,000 coats and raised $1,608,000 to provide winter clothing for Salvation Army families.
“We strongly believe in community partnerships and using the reach of the television station for positive change. We know there’s a growing need. We see it in our schools. We see it in our neighborhoods. We also know we live in a very generous community. When we ask our viewers for help they come through, and we are grateful for that,” says Steven D. Hammel, Vice President and General Manager of WRAL-TV and FOX 50.
This annual community service campaign is one of WRAL-TV’s signature events.
WRAL-TV thanks community partners, Jiffy Lube and First Citizens Bank, for their support of this project.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Jay Yovanovich for contributions to this capcom story.
