COATS FOR KIDS

Overview
Did you know many children throughout California go without a coat each winter? Many low-income families use their scarce resources to meet the most basic essentials and they need help to provide this vital winter necessity. That’s why the Knights of Columbus developed the Coats for Kids program, which allows councils across North America the opportunity to purchase new winter coats for children at a discount and to distribute them to children in need in their local communities. The Coats for Kids Program was instilled in 2009 and continues to go strong. In Columbian Year 2019-2020 California councils had over 4,500 coats distributed to the needy.

How It Works
Every Knights of Columbus council is eligible to participate in Coats for Kids. Coats should be ordered on Knights Gear. Carton quantities and sizes are available for different age groups. Coats for Kids is a featured program under Community Activities in the Faith in Action Program.

Pope Francis put it in perspective when he said, “true charity requires courage: let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need.” With the help of Knights of Columbus councils, you can use this program to make a difference for children in need.

To learn more, contact the Fraternal Mission department at (203) 752-4270 or fraternalmission@kofc.org.

Action Steps

To organize a successful Coats for Kids distribution:

  • Consider appointing a Coats for Kids chairman or assigning the task to the community activities chairman for the council.
  • Contact the state council to learn if there is a state chairman who is responsible for coordinating a statewide coat drive, and determine how your council, assembly or circle can support the drive.
  • Councils hosting their own coat drive should decide on a location and time to host the event. Consider inviting local veterans, athletes, TV personnel, local fire and police department, and parish priest.
  • Make sure that you order enough coats by contacting your local human services agencies, parishes and schools to get a list of children in need of a coat.
  • Order Coats through Knights Gear. For assistance, contact (203)752-4270.
  • Publicize the event through local media and through the same human services agencies, parishes and schools you are serving.
  • Coats for Kids is a Youth Activities Featured Program under the Service Programs
  • Activities. Don’t forget to turn in your Reporting Form when done with this Program.

Luigi V. Zoni, Chairman Elpidio Q. Andrion, Committeeman
(619) 980-3313

luigizoni@aol.com

(562) 883-2587

eandrion@hotmail.com