Join me in supporting WRAL's Coats for the Children

My five-year-old was out the door with the first sight of a snowflake on Saturday. She bundled up in her warmest clothes, boots, winter jacket, hat, scarf and mittens. 

And I was thankful. Thankful that we got some snow she could play in (but wouldn't leave us trapped at home). And thankful she had the warm clothes she needed to play outside in the winter weather. A lot of kids in our area don't.

That's been on my mind in recent days as I get ready to be part of WRAL's Coats for the Children. Since 1989, WRAL has collected more than 115,000 coats and raised $1,144,000 to provide winter clothing for Salvation Army families in need. 

There are two parts to the campaign. You can donate a new or gently used coat at participating Jiffy Lube or First Citizens Bank locations. In addition to clean coats, WRAL also is asking the public to donate other winter clothing items such as gently used gloves and hats and new underwear, T-shirts and socks to outfit a child for the winter months. Any size coat is accepted, but there is a need for coats for infants and larger, adult sizes for teens.

And then from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, WRAL will hold a day-long "Coats for the Children Telethon." You can call 877-543-2628 anytime between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday to make a credit card donation. You may also donate any time on WRAL.com. There will be thank you prizes throughout the day, based on the time of the call and pledge amount.

I'll be helping to man the phones from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, which will be during a special with WRAL anchors Bill Leslie, Kelcey Carlson and David Crabtree.

There will be all kinds of prizes, including a one-on-one Smart Shopper session with Faye Prosser (and I know there are some Faye fans reading this!), Lady Antebellum's "Need You Now" CD, family four-packs to the U.S. Skating Championship weekend, and family four-packs to the Carolina Ballet's Nutcracker.

So I hope other moms out there will join me in supporting this great cause by donating at least $20 and/or cleaning out your closets and dropping off those gently used winter coats that are too small for your kids.

I hope to hear from many of you on Friday!