Collection of warm winter clothing and new toys through Dec. 31
Coats for the Children Telethon on Friday, Dec. 15
WRAL-TV is once again collecting warm winter clothing, money and new toys for Salvation Army families in need. This annual community service campaign, presented by Jiffy Lube and The Whitley Law Firm, is one of WRAL-TV’s signature events. Now through Dec. 31, WRAL-TV invites the public to donate new or gently used coats, gloves, hats as well as new long underwear, t-shirts and socks to completely outfit a child for the winter months. These donations can be dropped off at participating Jiffy Lube locations in Holly Springs, Apex, Cary, Chapel Hill, Clayton, Durham, Fayetteville, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Goldsboro, Raleigh, Spring Lake, Wake Forest and Wilson.
“Our community has supported WRAL and The Salvation Army in this effort for more than three decades,” said Major Chuck Whiten, area commander of The Salvation Army of Wake and Lee Counties. “This year the need is great due to many families experiencing economic extremes due to inflation, to go along with our extreme cold seasonal weather. We have a wonderful opportunity to share the warmth and care conveyed in assisting local families with the gift of a coat for their children. Please know we can’t do it without your donations of coats or monetary gifts. Your gifts are greatly appreciated and will make a difference in families who need to be reassured that we care.”
On Friday, December 15th, WRAL-TV will broadcast its annual Coats for the Children Telethon, raising money to buy new, warm winter clothing and undergarments for Salvation Army families in need. Operators will be accepting pledges during this day-long Telethon, that includes a one-hour live special at 1 p.m. and a half-hour live special at 7 p.m.
“WRAL viewers have stepped up big time in past years to be sure local children and families in need have warm coats for the winter months. For 2023, the need remains incredibly high, and we know our viewers will answer the call,” says WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Joel Davis. “This year we’re largely able to move past Covid protocols and are returning to our more traditional telethon to give back to our community. We hope people will again tune in and open their hearts to help keep our neighbors warm this winter.”
Donations can be made now through Dec. 31 online at wral.com/coats or through our WRAL News App by searching the keyword, coats. To completely outfit a child this winter, the “magic number” to donate is $125.
Does your group or business want to get involved? Contact us! WRAL has a number of ways you can support Coats For the Children. Other information such as coat drop-off locations, participating Salvation Army branches, and general campaign details can also be found on WRAL.com.
Show us how you are supporting Coats For the Children and use the has tag #WRALCoats. You might even see yourself on TV during the Coats for the Children telethon on Dec. 15!
ABOUT WRAL COATS FOR THE CHILDREN:
Since 1989, WRAL-TV has collected more than 176,650 coats and raised more than $2 million to provide winter clothing for Salvation Army families. WRAL-TV thanks community partners Jiffy Lube and WellCare for their support of this project.
Thank to WRAL-TV’s Catherine Fitzhenry for this CapCom story.
