RALEIGH — The holiday spirit is putting in extra hours this year. Volunteers sorted the coats you donated this winter for needy children.

Each year, WRAL and its community partners launch our Coats for the Children campaign. Collecting coats is the first step -- then, the coats have to be sorted.

Volunteers gathered in a Raleigh warehouse Saturday to give back to the community.

"Sometimes, you have to take it away from the things you want to do to go out and help others," says volunteer Leroy Sturgis. "That's what we're trying to do."

Thanks to your generosity, we collected about 9,500 coats and other warm garments.