This month, 42,324 new winter coats will be distributed to children in need
Representatives from the CARing for Kids Foundation, area auto dealerships and the Brandywine YMCA take a moment to showcase their impressive charitable work.
COATESVILLE – The eighth annual Driving Away the Cold program, a philanthropic initiative of the Philadelphia Auto Show and the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation, is distributing a record 42,324 brand-new winter coats to less fortunate children this fall. This year’s contribution brings the cumulative total to 220,182 new coats given to children in the five-county Philadelphia region since 2008. The program will distribute a total of 4,828 new coats in Chester County specifically, with a delivery of more than 2,082 new coats last week to the Brandywine YMCA.
“More auto dealers than ever before teamed up to give a record number of children a warmer winter through the gift of a brand-new winter coat,” said Michael Chapman of Chapman Automotive Group and president of the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation. “Philadelphia winters can be brutally cold and no child should have to go without a coat. Yet, one in six children in this area lives in poverty and may lack daily essentials like warm outerwear. I am proud to be part of the 177 independently owned dealerships that recognize this problem and provide a solution that fills a void and brings warmth and joy to the community.”
Volunteers from local car dealerships and the Brandywine YMCA help unload 347 boxes filled with new coats for children in need.
The Driving Away the Cold program focuses on keeping children warm by providing brand-new winter coats to those who need them most. A new coat enables a child to get to school every day for learning, nourishing meals, warmth and hope for a bright future.
The Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Automobile Dealers’ Association of Greater Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Auto Show. Established in 2003, the Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity, supports worthwhile child-related initiatives throughout the Greater Philadelphia five-county region including its signature programs, the Black Tie Tailgate, Tech Comp and Driving Away the Cold. Its mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of children and youth in the communities in which its Dealer Members work and live.
Mary Lynn Alvarino, Director of Operations for CARing for Kids Foundation says, “In a nutshell, this program was started as a part of a strategic plan to meet the needs of every community…The simple gift of a winter coat positively impacts a child in need virtually every day from late fall through mid-spring.”
The brand-new winter coats are raised during a special month-long campaign titled We Pledge. Participating dealerships donated a coat to a child every time a vehicle is sold on-site during September. Of the 177 dealerships that participated in this year’s effort, 36 are located in Chester County including:
Anthony D’Ambrosio Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, Elverson • Audi Devon • BMW of Devon • Brian Hoskins Ford, Coatesville • Colonial Hyundai, Downingtown • Courtesy Chrysler Jeep, Coatesville • Del Chevrolet, Paoli • Del Toyota, Thorndale • Devon Nissan • Euro Motorcars Devon • Exton Nissan • Faulkner Buick GMC West Chester • Fred Beans Volkswagen, Devon • Fred Beans West Chester Ford • Infiniti of West Chester • Jaguar Land Rover West Chester • John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville • Kelly Chevrolet, Phoenixville • Keystone Volvo Berwyn • Kia of Coatesville • Kia of West Chester • Lexus of Chester Springs • Maserati of The Main Line, Devon • Matthews Paoli Ford • McLaren Philadelphia, West Chester • Mercedes-Benz of West Chester • Otto’s BMW, West Chester • Otto’s MINI, Exton • Piazza Acura of West Chester • Roberts Chevrolet, Exton • Roberts Honda, Downingtown • Roberts Subaru, Downingtown • Scott Honda of West Chester • Sloan Ford, Exton • Sloane Toyota Scion of Malvern • Stillman Volvo, West Chester
The coats will be distributed through more than 100 different social services agencies, shelters, after-school programs, regional YMCAs, and more. These non-profit partners identify the children who will benefit most from this gift and distribute the coats in a responsible manner.
For a full list of participating dealers and to learn more, visit: caringforkids.com.
