500 coats donated for southern IL children

(KBSI) – Five hundred coats were recently donated for children in need in southern Illinois.

WIBH Radio in Anna concluded its 13th annual New Coats, New Hope Campaign on Decemer 15.

The campaign raised enough to replace coat supplies impacted by the recent cold weather. The new coats were delivered to their distribution sites on January 23.

The WIBH fundraiser collected more than $9,000 through a partnership with Operation Warm, a non-profit organization.

The radio station purchased 500 coats for area children in need in southern Illinois.

Over the past 13 years, the New Coats, New Hope Campaign has raised more than $78,000 and purchased more than 4000 coats.

WIBH has partnered with local agencies since 2011 in this effort to raise awareness and distribute the coats.

T&I Office Equipment printed the outreach flyers. Transportation of the coats was provided by Shawnee Mass Transit and Duck Works Lawncare.

Coat distribution partners are Southern 7 Head Start (S7HS), Arrowleaf, and the Children’s Medical and Mental Health Resource Network (CMMHRN).

Moury Bass, WIBH Co-owner thanked everyone who contributed to the New Coats, New Hope Campaign.

The coats arrived in early January. They will be distributed through the partnering agencies to kids ages 3 to 16 living in the lower 45 counties in Illinois affected by abuse, neglect, disaster and family need.

No paperwork or proof of income is required to receive a coat. It is estimated that 20% of southern Illinois children live in poverty and a warm coat is an essential item for each of them.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that creates brand new, high-quality coats for children in need.