In 1995, Anton’s Cleaners created Coats for Kids, to help individuals who wouldn't otherwise be able to keep themselves and their families warm. The program has grown to become the largest coat collection drive in New England, and the mission has remained the same; “Anyone who needs coat will have one.” Anton’s Cleaners is looking for local businesses and organizations to help make winter a little warmer for children, teens and adults throughout eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

On October 15, Anton’s kicked off its 18^th annual Coats for Kids coat collection drive with a goal of collecting 60,000 coats in good, wearable condition. In order to reach the goal, local businesses and organizations are urged to join the collection effort as corporate and community Collection Partners.

“Coats for Kids is a great program that allows companies and community organizations to give back,” said Stephanie Littlefield, Coats for Kids Coordinator. She continued, “We often take things like a warm winter coat for granted when there are thousands of individuals in our very own community who are struggling to provide for their families.”

Each year Coats for Kids receives positive feedback about the program from participating Collection Partners. “The fact that a 13-year-old girl asked if we could start a coat drive for the community is our greatest success.” Said Samantha Arroyo of Crossroads Church Youth Group, “She has caught the ‘giving bug’ and I'm so happy that we were able to partner with Coats for Kids and show her, and the rest of the group, the value of giving.

As Collection Partners, participating companies and organizations collect good quality, warm winter coats and then bring them to any of Anton’s Cleaners’ 41 locations or one of the five Jordan’s Furniture stores. Participating companies receive posters and other marketing materials to promote the drive within their companies and groups.

Once collected and cleaned, coats will be distributed free of charge through the Coats for Kids Distribution Partners network, which includes organizations such as Massachusetts Community Action Programs (MASSCAP), Salvation Army, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Catholic Charities,Taunton State Hospital, and Project Just Because to name just a few.

Returning Promotional Partners for the 2012-2013 Coats for Kids collection include: FOX25, Jordan’s Furniture, WickedLocal, JAM’N 94.5 and KISS108.

To sign up as a Corporate Partner or for more information, visit www.antons.com/cfk/corporate.html or contact Stephanie Littlefield at 978-851-3721 or by email at Stephanie@antons.com. 

Anton’s Cleaners is a family-owned, Massachusetts business that first opened its doors in Lowell, MA in 1913. The Family Business Association recently recognized Anton's Cleaners for their continued community relations efforts with the 2012 Community Excellence Award. The company has 41 dry cleaning stores throughout Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. For locations visit www.antons.com