Linking children with coats through Steve’s Coats for Kids

“I’m setting an example set by my parents. My father would go to mission houses and volunteer. My mom was very active in the community.” Cheryl Sledge said. She attributes her spirit of giving to her family. “When you see that kind of activism around you, it makes you want to get involved.”

Sledge is a member of the Crown Jewels Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. The local chapter has been collecting coats for the Steve's Coats for Kids campaign with a mission to keep at least 40 children warm this winter. "We always focus on children. They are not responsible for the situation they are in." Sledge said. The Links is a volunteer service group committed to enriching and sustaining the culture and economic growth of the African American community.

WSOC-TV's Steve's Coats for Kids collects coats for local area children who live in need, and the coats are distributed by Crisis Assistance Ministry. In the last 15 years, Steve's Coats for Kids has collected over 200,000 coats.

For over 25 years, the service group has made efforts to help those struggling in the community “Our motto is friendship and service. I would like to see that every person has their basic needs met. No one should have to beg for basic needs that some of us take for granted.” Sledge said.

She encourages others to do the same. “You have to be open. We have to be willing to open our hearts and help others.”

Click here to find how you can help at www.StevesCoatsForKids.com

If you have an inspiring story and you or your group is collecting coats for Steve’s Coats for Kids, please contact WSOC-TV Community Affairs Manager Kevin Campbell at kevin.campbell@wsoctv.com

Cox Media Group