10th Coats for the Children Campaign Begins

This year, as it has for the past nine years, WRAL-TV5 is collecting clean, ussed coats and money for area families in need. Jiffy Lube and Alltel are community partners in the project.

As of November 21, Alltel and Jiffy Lube will serve as collection sites for money or used coats at any of their locations in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Rocky Mount, Wilson, Goldsoboro and Sanford.

All donated coats should be clean and in good condition. Any size coat will be accepted; however larger sizes for teens and adults are in particular demand.

Coat collection will continue through December 31. All coats collected will be turned over to the Salvation Army and given to families in need.

On December 11, WRAL-TV5 will broadcast a daylong "Coats For The Children" telethon?, raising money to buy warm winter clothing and undergarments.

Pledges will be accepted from 5:30 a.m. to midnight, with on-air appeals throughout the day. Pledges can also be sent through WRAL OnLine. All money collected will be donated to the Salvation Army.

Since 1988, WRAL-TV5 has collected more than 53,000 coats and more than $330,000, all of which benefits area Salvation Armies and the families they serve.

Jiffy Lube and Alltel have been longtime supporters of the project. Long Transportation, Baker Roofing, Metro Productions and Corporate Solutions who volunteer their services for coat transportation, storage and project signs.

For more information or to volunteer, call WRAL Community Relations Director Loretta Harper at (919) 821-8652.