Why was the  News10's Coats For Kids program created?
After learning that many children were going to school in the wintertime without adequate coats, News10 and Swansons Cleaners created Coats For Kids in 1990. Since then, more than 360,000 new and used coats have been distributed to children and families in need.

Does News10 make money from Coats For Kids?
No. The program is conducted as a public service. News10 donates a considerable amount of time, effort, money and personnel hours to the project.  The station's partners do likewise.

The coat drive is called "News10's Coats For Kids." Does that mean you just want children's coats?
Although the initial focus of the drive was to provide warmth for children, we now distribute coats to adults as well. News10 is grateful for the donation of any size coat.

Why are the coats distributed at the end of the year?  Why not in October or November?
In the early years, the station tried launching the coat drive earlier in the year, with an eye towards distributing coats as soon as the weather turned cold. Unfortunately, the turnout was a big disappointment, with fewer than 6,000 coats donated. The switch was made to a November launch and a year-end distribution, which resulted in an immediate jump on the number of donations to more than 20,000 coats per year.  For some reason, people seem to be more giving and generous during the holiday season. 

I need a coat.  How do I get one?
If you are in need of a winter coat you may obtain one free of charge by coming to Cal Expo or the Salvation Army locations in Stockton, Modesto, Fairfield, Antioch, Lodi, Yuba City or Roseville on January 2nd from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or until all coats are gone).  Coats are distributed on a first come, first serve basis, with a limit of one coat per individual.  Family members need not be present in order to obtain a coat, but adults will be required to show identification for themselves and each family member in need of a coat before entering the distribution area.  Acceptable forms of identification include driver's license, state identification card, passport, student identification, social security card, library card, or other picture I.D. 

I'd like to find out more about a corporate sponsorship for News10's Coats for Kids.  Who do I contact?
You can e-mail the News10 Coats for Kids Coordinator to find out what sponsorship levels are available.