ABC26 and New Orleans CW lanches their thirteenth annual “Bruce’s Coats for Kids” coat drive.  The drive, which collects coats for less fortunate children and adults in the New Orleans area, runs through January 18.  ABC26 News Chief Meteorologist Bruce Katz will once again serve as the spokespeople for this rewarding community operation.

This year our drop-off points for used or new coats for children and adults will be all A-1 Appliance & Electronics locations, PJ’s Coffee; Lakeside Shopping Center in center court; Clearview Mall center court, The Esplanade by the Santa area  and Oakwood Center.  Blaze Express Courier Service will distribute the donated coats to 23 area dry cleaners that will clean the coats.  Once the coats are ready, ABC26 and New Orleans CW will distribute coats to charities in our area. 

The project started with a focus on children’s coats but will take teen and adult coats too.  Children tend to be one of our most vulnerable groups of people during the cold winter months.  ABC26 and New Orleans CW have collected over 60,000 coats in the past twelve years. We look forward to a very successful thirteenth year.

“With each year that passes, our TV stations collect a growing number of coats,” Katz said.  “Seeing the kids and their parents with smiles on their faces . . . giving coats to kids who otherwise wouldn’t have them . . . It is such a rewarding feeling.”  Tribune Television New Orleans Vice President/General Manager Phil Waterman, Jr. says, “This project is special because we are able to make a difference in the lives of kids and families right here in our area.  Our focus is always our community where we all live and work and now more than ever this importance has grown, and ‘Coats for Kids’ helps protect our neighbors from the harmful cold weather.”

Your time and effort can help needy children stay warm this winter.