"Warm Coats + Warm Hearts" campaign

For two years we have partnered with ABC New's Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory in a national coat drive. This year more than 177,000 coats were donated and distributed locally.

A question that comes up a lot -- where do the coats go? We recently received a letter from Cornerstone Assistance Network in Fort Worth, Texas who received over 45 boxes of coats from their local Burlington Coat Factory stores.

Here's an example of how they distributed the coats: "I had a call from a mom that needed a coat for her son. I got his size and grabbed a donated coat and then took the coat to the boy that lived at the Fort Worth Housing Authority. School counselors told us the names and sizes of 50 individual children that needed coats. Thanks to you we were able to supply that need."

Yes -- the coats stay in their local community.

Thanks to the thousands who donated coats and, most of all, thanks to our wonderful partners , ABC News' Good Morning America and Burlington Coat Factory, who make this such a successful effort.

All 50 States

We reached a big milestone this year -- there has been a One Warm Coat drive in each of our 50 states. Yes indeed, a One Warm Hoodie drive was organized in Honolulu by Stussy, the trendsetting clothing retailer. They've been part of One Warm Coat for three years now -- and we like their style.

Here's a link to learn more about these guys: http://http://stussy.com/25years.html

Give me a W . . .

W ... A... R...M... -- that's what One Warm Coat is all about. Warmth -- both the physical kind and the spiritual kind.

The North Middlesex Regional High School Cheerleaders from Townsend, Massachusetts held a One Warm Coat drive this winter. They had an amazing time -- and learned so much about their community.

A short tale about their delivery of the coats to the Clothes Closet: "When I was coming in to deliver the last bit of clothing an elderly man was looking through the clothes. I said my good mornings and that I hoped these items will help to keep people warm. He gave me a cute smile and I excused myself. As I was getting ready to leave, he tapped my arm and said "Thank you and God Bless". So I am passing this "Thank you and God Bless" to all of you. It is the simplest things in life that can make someone happy. A simple smile, a good morning, or warm clothing."

And we pass this along to you ---

Thanks from Indiana ---

We have the privilege of working with hundreds of social service agencies around the country. These folks do amazing work -- usually with limited funds.



One group in Indiana, The Potter's Wheel, provides inner city residents of Evansville, Indiana with hot meals twice a week. The food bank ministry distributes food baskets to families in need of food. The clothing bank ministry provides free clothing to anyone needing clothes.



We received a thank you note last week that we'll share with you -- the folks who donate the coats.



"Through all of your hard work you've blessed so many people in our inner city neighborhood."

Are YOUR closets bursting??

Love to shop? Here are some ways you can make amends and more room in your closet.

If it's coats, hats, gloves, mittens -- even umbrellas -- you can donate them to a One Warm Coat drive in your community. Our website lists coat drives across the country -- www.onewarmcoat.org. If you clean out your closet during the summer, set aside these warm items for donation in the Fall. Share this idea with friends and families.

Have a lot of suits -- this goes for men and women! Two great organizations accept donated clothing to help folks getting into the "business" work force. Check out Dress for Success (www.dressforsuccess.org)for women's clothing and Career Gear (www.careergear.org)for men.

You're not a "Glamour Don't" -- so avoid these mistakes also: Don't burden the organization with left-over summer clothes in October; try to donate at a time when the clothes will be of benefit. Don't donate items that are too dirty, stained or ripped or can't be worn with dignity.

Slide Show of the Red Carpet Activity

Isla donated the first coat --

Here's the scene: a 100-yard long white tent with hundreds of photographers inside the walls, a WIDE red carpet, and a stream of celebrities -- think film stars, the author, producers and other "names". At the entrance a HUGE shopping bag just waiting for the donation of gently used coats.

Isla Fisher, the star of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" was the first to arrive. Here's her donation of one warm coat. (As I mentioned in an earlier post, it was 10 degrees -- perhaps she should have kept her warm coat???)

It was exciting to be there, to see the action and the activity. Over one-half of the celebrities and their friends and families brought coats.

Outside the tent Disney VoluntEARS were collecting coats that were brought by the audience who had been invited to the World Premier. Total number of coats donated? Well over 400!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/onewarmcoat/sets/72157613670390260/

We'll be posting ideas on how you can find "redemption" if YOU are a shopaholic --

It was so cold --

It was very exciting to be part of the New York City premier of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" on Thursday, February 5th but my goodness it was cold!

Standing for 3 hours at 10 degrees had me feeling such compassion for those who do not have proper protection -- I cannot imagine what is must be like to have no coat, no hat or mittens in weather this cold.

We'll be posting the photos from the red carpet tent later this week --