As the region braces for the cold winter weather, hundreds of local children are enjoying the benefit of a warm coat.
The 687 students at Pimlico Elementary School in Baltimore City were surprised earlier this fall with brand new coats, courtesy of Charming Shoppes Inc., a Bensalem, Pa.-based national specialty apparel retailer.
“It was just like Christmas morning — And now they’re all going around school in their new coats,” said Principal Orrester Shaw.
“The entire gym had racks and racks and racks of coats of all sizes, so the children could select a coat they liked.”
Not only did students receive the new coats, they also received a backpack loaded with school supplies like pencils and crayons and other winter accessories like scarfs, gloves and hats.
This fall, the company’s Keeping Kids Warm program, its largest philanthropic event, donated more than 20,000 coats in 38 elementary schools across the country, usually visiting large cities like Philadelphia, Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland.
The company estimates that at the end of the season, they’ll have donated nearly 115,000 coats in 74 different communities over the 13 years they’ve been conducting the program.
The program accepts nominations in a host of ways, like through employees, parents, school personnel and the general public. The company then researches then school and determines which schools get visits.
Since Charming Shoppes sells mostly women’s clothing, the children’s coats, along with the other supplies, were purchased through different companies, officials said.
“Our retail brands have a strong presence in the communities we serve. To see our associates come together to service the local children in need is very rewarding,” said Joe Baron, chief operations officer of Charming Shoppes.
“I’m not sure who gets more out of the experience, the kids or the volunteers.”
While businesses like Charming Shoppes periodically host these coat distribution, local PTAs in the area also provide similar services.
The PTA Council of Howard County has been conducting an annual coat, hat, glove, and scarf drive.
“Each PTA is asked to donate one new or ‘gently-used-and-in-good-condition” coat,’ with related accessories,” said John Hannay, the council president.
“Many PTAs donate more than one coat.”
The coats and other items are then distributed to children in need through school pupil personnel workers, guidance counselors and other school-based staff that can determine the area of greatest need, he explained.
