OUR MISSION
To partner with local communities to provide coats and winter wear for families while connecting them to nearby resources, opportunities, and support close to where they live.
OUR LOCATIONS
Hamilton County Kids Coats gives free winter coats and winter wear in the late fall at distributions sponsored by local churches in Fishers, Sheridan, Arcadia, Noblesville, and Westfield. We continue to serve families until the end of winter at the Merciful HELP Center. Together, we work year-round to better meet the winter-wear needs of families in our county.
OUR HISTORY
At the suggestion of Nancy Chance, Director of the Good Samaritan Network, three women from Carmel United Methodist Church started Hamilton County Kids Coats in 2004. That first year, all volunteers and coat donations came from church members, and the entire event was funded by the CUMC United Methodist Women and the Good Samaritan Network. Using coat racks borrowed from the Salvation Army, we served just over 200 people.
Since then, we have grown every year.
In 2018, Carmel United Methodist Church helped launch us as a nonprofit organization so we could better expand and serve our mission. Today, we are a year-round coat ministry with partners throughout the county.
Last year, we provided new and gently used coats and winter wear to 3,380 children and their families.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
You can make a meaningful, life-affirming difference by reaching out to help others.
We collect donations across Hamilton County through schools, churches, libraries, and local businesses. Learn how easy it is to organize your own drive to gather coats, hats, gloves, mittens, boots, scarves, and snow pants in all sizes. Click DONATE COATS to find out more!
You can also make a difference in helping communicate Coat Appointment Signups to families in your community. You can PRINT FLYERS and hand them out in your community in the Fall by putting up flyers in: apartment laundry rooms, employee announcement boards at restaurants. Or you can link our website or Facebook page to online community websites.
This year, more than 800 families will make appointments to receive a winter coat at one of our six giveaway sites in late October & early November. We don't stop there! We continue to help families stay warm through the end of winter. BE A VOLUNTEER at our outreach at the Merciful HELP Center from December-February. Help us sort donations on Mondays at our warehouse. We can use your help!
Monetary donations make our work possible. You can donate money or coats to help support our mission.
Financial gifts help cover the costs of warehousing, cleaning, repairing, and distributing coats and winter wear across the county. We also transport coat racks, hangers, inventory, and supplies to each distribution site. In addition, donations allow us to purchase coats so we can ensure we have the right sizes available for every family we serve.
Whether you give outgrown coats, your time, your talents, or your financial support, every contribution makes a difference.
For more information, email us at info@kidscoats.org.
