Coats for Kids campaign helping thousands of children

The cooler weather means kids will soon need winter coats to stay warm. A group of KCRG-TV9 employees loaded up and hauled hundreds of coats to the Salvation Army in Cedar Rapids Tuesday as part of TV9's annual Coats for Kids campaign.

Families in need can stop by this Thursday from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. to pick out a coat.

The Salvation Army says the need is great each year.

"Kids are always the hardest and most requested item. Kids continue to grow out of their coats whereas an adult will wear a coat for a few years. And so having all of these extra coats is a wonderful thing," Lia Pontarelli, Salvation Army Director of Development, said.

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Eastern Iowans donated more than 3,000 coats this year. KCRG-TV9 and our show you care sponsors support Coats for Kids. Thanks to everyone for helping eastern Iowa children stay warm this winter.