Coats For Kids

About the event

Coats for Kids Celebrates 40 Years!

The Salvation Army, ABC12, WJRT, WIOG 102.5 FM Radio, Gaines Jewelry, Hurley Medical    Center, Skaff Furniture Carpet One, Suski Chevrolet, and Team One Credit Union are celebrating 40 years of Coats for Kids. The program kicked off on October 7, 2025 and runs through Nov. 8. The goal of the program is to collect new and like new coats to help keep Genesee County children warm and to protect them from Michigan’s harsh winter weather. Children without a coat, could be a reality for many kids in our community if not for the Coats for Kids annual coat drive! Last year over 1,600 children living in Genesee County were given the gift of warmth. We anticipate an even greater need this year. We need your help in collecting coats of all sizes. Adult sizes medium to XXL are in high demand since we typically get fewer adult sizes through the coat drive.

An estimated 41% of children under 18 live in low income families struggling to make ends meet. In Michigan alone, nearly 550,000 children received SNAP benefits.

You can keep a child warm this winter by donating a new or like new coat from Friday, October 10, 2025 through Friday, December 5, 2025. Please place your new or like new coats in a plastic bag prior to dropping them off at one of our collection sites. Genesee County collection sites include: Gaines Jewelry, Skaff Furniture Carpet One, The Salvation Army Business Office, Hurley Medical Center, Josephs Family Dentistry, Genesee Family Dental, My Dental Home, Abbey Park, Vicinia Gardens, Euphoria Salon & Spa, Flushing Medical Home, Kettering University, Knight Dental,    Steve’s Plumbing, Suski Chevrolet, Team One Credit Union, Miracle Ear and all Genesee County locations for American Associates Realtors, Biggby Coffee, Ivy Rehab, and Financial Plus Credit Unions. Owosso Sites include: Ruthy’s Cleaners, Biggby Coffee, Foster Coffee Company, Team One Credit Union, Qdoba, Label Shopper, Shiawassee County Sherrif’s Office, Young’s Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC of Owosso, Steiner’s Tractor Parts, Greg and Lou’s Restaurant, Gilbert’s Hardware, Family Farm and Home, Robbin’s Loft Fitness Center, Walgreens, Shiawassee Library and NCG Owosso Cinemas.

"The public can use collection boxes donated by Landaal Packaging, they have been a valued  partner for 21 years.  We are grateful to all of our partners for their continued participation and to our generous Community for supporting this important service to help keep children safe and warm this winter season,” said  Major Randy Hellstrom, Regional Coordinator and Corps Officer of The Salvation Army of Genesee/Shiawassee Counties.

Parents in need of coats, Christmas toys, or food for their children should apply to:

The Salvation Army Flint, Michigan, serving Genesee County Families

Christmas Assistance Registration Dates:

Flint Citadel, 211 W. Kearsley St., Downtown Flint, MI 48502 (810) 232-2196

Tuesday, October 21 and 28 & November 4, 11, and 18th from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Be a Hero…help keep children safe, give the “Gift of Warmth” this winter!

Please visit www.salarmygenesee.org for a complete list of collection sites. For additional information or to volunteer, contact Becca Gonzalez, Community Engagement and Events Manager at 810-869-8711 or    Becca.Gonzalez@usc.salvationarmy.org