Posts
Let’s face it – children are expensive. While some parents are financially capable of handling the rising costs of raising them, other parents’ incomes are so low they can barely afford to buy food. For a variety of reasons – job loss, divorce, illness, etc. – some parents have little to no income. Budgeting becomes an ongoing problem for them, especially if they are single parents and the other parent contributes nothing or less than they were court ordered to pay. How do you budget when your expenses far outweigh your income and you don’t have enough money for necessities, like food, shelter, or clothing?
Because kids grow so quickly they need new clothes and new shoes at least once a year. As a single parent who raised four children, I understand their plight. Fortunately for me, however, grandparents and one of my sisters often helped me with necessities (my other sister was raising kids of her own).
Other families aren’t so fortunate. Some children, after having no breakfast, walk to school in sub-freezing temperatures wearing nothing but a t-shirt.
According to the United States Census Bureau, “In 2020, there were 37.2 million people in poverty…” 37.2 million people living in poverty! To put that in perspective, the population of the entire state of California is 37.2 million. Imagine that! How can we help all of them?
While the basic necessities include food, shelter, and clothing, one very important item for children is a winter coat. And that’s where Warm Coats for Cool Kids comes in. Established by Garry and Debra Vaccaro in April, 2021, and staffed only by volunteers, this 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation provides winter coats to children from families in need.
Located in a western suburb of Chicago, Warm Coats currently distributes warm winter coats to children from late September through March by conducting events at local schools, churches, and other community organizations. They also accept individual requests for coats submitted through community organizations. And when available Warm Coats distributes new winter hats with each coat.
Warm Coats offers coats in many sizes (from 4T to adult medium) and styles, and they maintain an inventory. When supplies run low, they purchase new coats from local retailers and Operation Warm.
Be kind this holiday season by helping a “Cool Kid” be warm this winter. No child should be left out in the cold. Just click this Donate button! Not one penny of your donation goes to anything other than coats. What that means is that 100% of your $20 (or more) donation will provide one child with a high quality, warm, and stylish coat. More donation = more coats. Warm Coats for Cool Kids, all children recipients and their parents thank you for your generous donation.
