For the 28th 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 28th time, WRAL-TV will broadcast a telethon to raise money to buy warm, winter clothing and new toys for these children.
On Friday, Dec. 9, WRAL-TV will broadcast its 28th 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.
Wool E. Bull helps out on air during the 2015 Coats for the Children Telethon.
“What does a child out in the cold winter months mean? It means they need a coat! They need to be warm, and that’s what WRAL’s Coats for the Children is all about. Warming up the lives of children we love and support,” said Major Stephen Long of the Salvation Army of Wake County.
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, bring coats and toys to participating Jiffy Lube locations in Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Durham, Fayetteville, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Knightdale, Pittsboro, Raleigh, Research Triangle Park, Spring Lake, Wake Forest, Wendell, Wilson and Zebulon.
Other information such as a list of 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 158,000 coats and raised more than $1.6 million to provide winter clothing for Salvation Army families.
“We live in a generous community. Year after year during Coats for the Children we see that generosity unfold. WRAL-TV is proud to join the Salvation Army to encourage our viewers to do what they do best: donate to those who need it during this holiday season in order to put a smile on someone’s face and bring warmth to their home,” says WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Steven D. Hammel.
WRAL-TV thanks community partners Jiffy Lube and Chiesi USA Pharmaceuticals for their support of this project.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Tullos for contributions to this capcom story.
