For most, crawling into the attic to retrieve bins and boxes of winter clothes, scarves and coats — packed up at the beginning of March just as the winter weather is moving out — is something to avoid as long as possible. Making room in the closet to squeeze in a favorite double-breasted pea coat, finding one more hanger for last season’s stylish quilted jacket, fluffing warm, down jackets or hanging fur-lined trenches can all seem like a daunting task. But for some, having a coat for the brisk, chilly morning while waiting for the school bus is only a dream. That is until Tripp’s Coats for Kids started collecting thousands of coats to provide children with warm winter wear across the Midlands.
Tripp’s Coats for Kids, started by Tripp’s Fine Cleaners, has been collecting, cleaning and donating new and gently used coats to children since 1995. This year will be their 17th annual event and will run from Nov. 28 until Dec. 19 collecting for those in need in the community. “There are children at recess with only light jackets, and they need coats,” says Tripp Penninger, owner of Tripp’s Fine Cleaners. “This is a great program for us to be able to provide for kids who need a warm coat.” The coats are sorted and cleaned by staff and donated to The Salvation Army. “Columbia is a caring community, and we have collected more than 30,000 coats during the campaign. We look forward to it again this year.”
This season, as you’re sorting through bins and boxes of coats that have been outgrown by your kids — or your closet — remember the children who will walk out of their homes during the frigid, winter months with only long sleeves and bare arms. Bring warmth to a child this holiday season!
For more information on Tripp’s Coats for Kids and how you can donate coats to be cleaned, visit TrippsFineCleaners.com or drop off your donation at a location near you.
