Charlotte middle school duo plan to collect 550 coats for kids in need

Eighth grade students Brycen and Wyatt have some big aspirations, but their ambition isn’t focused on themselves. Rather, it’s on how they can help others.

These two remarkable young men are students at Piedmont I.B. Middle School, and they are collecting coats for Steve’s Coats for Kids to benefit children in need here in the Charlotte community.

They have set a goal of collecting 550 new and gently worn coats.

WSOC-TV’s Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign was introduced in 2005. Steve’s Coats for Kids has collected nearly 250,000 coats, and every donated coat spends less than 48 hours in the Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store before benefiting someone in need.

An independent nonprofit agency, Crisis Assistance Ministry focuses on preventing homelessness and preserving dignity for Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s working poor — providing assistance with rent, utilities, clothing and furniture.

Piedmont has collected coats for Steve’s Coats for Kids for the past several years. This giving spirit has been part of the culture of the school since 1925 and is ingrained in the staff and students.

Many of the students at Piedmont have developed a love for doing good deeds for others.

These two kids are no exception and want to do everything they can to improve the city.

Their actions show that regardless of your age, anyone can make a real difference in the community.

Each coat is sorted, hung and inspected. For those coats that need extra attention, Cintas launders, replaces buttons, hems, and otherwise does whatever it takes to get it looking almost new.

The Charlotte Cintas Corporation has provided this incredible service to the community for free to help make life easier for some of the area’s children who are most in need.

The Steve’s Coats for Kids campaign runs from now until Dec. 31, 2021.

This campaign has been brought together through various partnerships and our 9 Family Focus sponsors which include Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Gastroenterology and Hepatology and E.R. Plumbing Services.

There are over 100 collection points across the Carolinas, including Arby’s, Ashley HomeStore, E.R. Plumbing Services and all Charlotte fire stations.

CLICK HERE FOR ALL DONATION LOCATIONS

Learn more about how your donation can impact the community at www.StevesCoatsForKids.com.

If you have an inspiring story, please contact Kevin Campbell, WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV/Telemundo Charlotte public affairs manager, at Kevin.Campbell@wsoctv.com.

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