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Written by Webmaster
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The Chicago Chapter considers “Koats for Kids” to be our most important community service project – one that we’ve been doing for twelve years, now entering our thirteenth year. We are proud to say that thus far, we have clothed at least four thousand children in the greater Chicagoland community.
We are currently working with at least three community organizations; they provide us with names and sizes , and then our membership “adopts” one child (or more), purchases a coat (and sometimes hats and gloves, too) and brings them in to a central location. Some individuals do not have time to shop but are very generous in donating dollars to help with this project. Whatever funds we collect, along with underwriting from the chapter, a small group of us go out and shop for the remaining coats. You have to be a good bargain shopper, especially during the holidays, to complete the shopping for all of these children.
It doesn’t matter if you are a four-year old going off to pre-school, or an eighth grader wearing an adult size, in a climate like Chicago, you need a coat! Because of our ability to be bargain shoppers, we always manage in one way or another, to clothe everyone on our list – not a small task!
In 2008 the Chicago Chapter joined forces with Wirtz Beverage Illinois to expand this program. We have district managers who collect money from their group (they’re too busy selling spirits and wine to shop), and then we take it from there. We hope that in the future Koats for Kids will be an entire Wirtz Beverage Group initiative – perhaps in 2010!
We know we don’t have to tell you that children are our most important commodity; you just don’t realize until you work with a program like this, how many children there are of all ages, whose families cannot afford to put a coat on their backs. Selfishly, individually we can gain so much more happiness and satisfaction through participation in this program.
The Chicago Chapter wishes all of you, no matter how you celebrate, a season of good health, happiness, and love.
Brenda Quigley
Chicago Chapter President
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