Coats for the Children raises more than $150k in 2016

The 28th annual Coats for the Children campaign surpassed its fundraising goal for 2016, raising more than $150,000 during the holiday season.

Coats for the Children is WRAL’s major holiday fundraising campaign for Salvation Army families, donating coats and new toys to make the holiday brighter for children.

In 2016, the campaign raised $150,268 compared to $143,842 in 2015.

"Each of us grab one on the way out the door each morning, but never think that there are hundreds maybe thousands of children in our area that do not have a coat," said Major Pete Costas, area commander of The Salvation Army of Wake County.

"The Coats for the Children campaign is not only essential to these children but it is life changing. The warmth a coat provides goes far beyond protection from the cold. It provides hope to that child in their time of need."

The number of toys and coats donated will be announced Saturday, after the Salvation Army sorts through the collection.