UNITED WAY HOLDS 10TH ANNUAL WARMEST WISHES COAT DRIVE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY
United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC) has kicked off its 10th Annual Warmest Wishes Coat Drive for local preschool, elementary and middle school children in need. UWMOC is collecting new winter coats in toddler sizes 3T-4T and children’s sizes Extra Small – Extra Large to be distributed to over 50 schools throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. The collection will run through November 1, 2022.
“We began the Warmest Wishes Coat Drive in 2012 in response to our community’s need for winter outerwear due to the surge of families struggling from the effects of Superstorm Sandy,” said Lori-Anne McLane, President & CEO of United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. “Now in its tenth year, we hope to continue to grow the drive and meet our goal of keeping 4,000 local kids warm this winter. As more and more families continue to experience financial difficulty, basic essentials such as coats are need now more than ever.”
The Warmest Wishes Coat Drive works in conjunction with United Way’s Community Impact initiatives in education, financial stability and health — the building blocks for a good life. Since the inception of the annual drive, UWMOC has distributed over 13,500 coats to local children in need.
There are a variety of ways to participate in the Warmest Wishes Coat Drive. Coats can be purchased online and shipped directly to United Way, or arrangements can be made for donations to be dropped off to United Way’s office. The United Way office is located at 4814 Outlook Drive, Suite 107 in Wall Township, NJ 07753. Monetary donations can also be made online for UWMOC staff to purchase coats – every $25 gift is equal to one new children’s coat.
Donation boxes for new coats will also be available at Investors Bank locations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties. To find a branch near you, visit investorsbank.com.
For more information about the Warmest Wishes Coat Drive, please visit uwmoc.org/WarmestWishes.