The mission of Coats for Kids Cleveland is to provide winter coats to children
who are in need.
PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT UPDATE REGARDING THE 2023 COATS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN
During the August 22, 2023 meeting of the Coats for Kids – Cleveland board of directors, a 2023-2025 strategic plan was approved that will continue our mission and guide our 42-year-old charitable organization into the future. The plan includes some significant changes to how we do what we do.
Effective with our 2023 campaign, which officially begins on November 1, Coats for Kids will no longer be collecting donated coats.
This decision aims to enhance our efficiency and productivity by redirecting resources previously allocated to collecting and processing used coats. Instead, we will focus on providing new coats, specifically tailored by size and gender/gender-neutral options, to children who need them.
Many children miss school during winter months due to the lack of a warm coat, either because their families cannot afford one or because they have outgrown their existing coats. We firmly believe that a new coat not only serves as essential clothing but also symbolizes a child’s self-worth and confidence. To Coats for Kids, a new coat signifies more than just warmth—it inspires children to attend school, continue their education, and engage in outdoor activities even in the harshest weather.
The past few years have been particularly challenging for us as we dealt with a fire at our warehouse in 2019, the COVID pandemic in 2020 and the unexpected sudden passing of our biggest champion, Mike Trivisonno, in 2021. Despite these obstacles, we’ve persevered and made strategic changes to optimize our resources and continue our mission.
The challenges we’ve faced, combined with inflation and other resource limitations led to the development and implementation of our recently approved strategic plan.
We appreciate your interest in Coats for Kids and hope you will consider supporting us as we launch our 2023 campaign. To make a secure, monetary donation to help fund the purchase of new winter coats, click here.
Click to learn how your business or organization can provide financial support to sponsor an entire school or a school coat closet.
If you have gently worn winter coats to donate this year, we encourage you to consider other organizations and businesses in Cuyahoga County (and beyond) that accept clothing donations. You can access a list of these organizations by clicking here.
