Donations give warm feeling to Wake families

Saturday was the third distribution day for winter wear donated last year to WRAL's Coats for the Children campaign.

Posted 8:21 p.m. Dec 3, 2011 — Updated 4:16 a.m. Dec 9, 2011

RALEIGH, N.C. — Each winter, hundreds of Triangle residents get a warm feeling from the donations given to WRAL's Coats for the Children campaign. Since 1989, WRAL has collected 125,000 coats and raised $1.2 million. All donations benefit the Salvation Army.

Each autumn, the Salvation Army welcomes needy families to coat distribution events to help them prepare for the coming cold weather.

Saturday was the third distribution day of 2011. As they did in October and November, volunteers checked IDs and gave away 1,000 coats.

"This is a blessing right here – to have some coats," said Sherry Burks.

Burks and her four children are staying at the Salvation Army. "I don't have a job, and I'm trying to make it," she said. "My kids are my strength."

Her 9-year-old daughter selected a pumpkin puffer jacket. "Orange is my favorite color," Eriel Holloway said. Her twin, Erieyana, selected a gold, shimmery number.

The families also got to pick out scarves, hats and gloves.

"It's still nice that people out in the world today that help you," Burks said. "I thank God every day."

The Salvation Army of Wake County gives away 25 coats every Friday morning, first-come, first-served beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 215 South Person St. in Raleigh. Adults are asked to bring ID and proof that they live in Wake County. They must show birth and immunization records for children. Each person can select two coats per season.

The 2011 Coats for the Children campaign runs through Jan. 2. Bins for new or gently used coats and new toys are available at participating Jiffy Lube and First Citizens Bank locations throughout Wake County. Coats for the Children Drop-off Sites

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