Cozy Kids for a Cool Cause is a winter coat drive hosted by SWOSU PR students. The purpose of this drive is to collect new or gently used winter coats for kids that will be distributed locally in Weatherford. Coats can be dropped off at any drop-off location until November 16th.
Drop Off Locations:
Weatherford Fire Station
Chamber of Commerce
SWOSU Student Union
SWOSU BCM
Weatherford Church of Christ
Tractor Supply
Help the kids in the
The Need For Coats
As winter time approaches and temperatures spike down several degrees the need for children’s coats is in high demand. According to the United States Bureau, 1 in 6 children in America are living in poverty. The United States Bureau data also reports that the median poverty rate for children enrolled in public school districts in 2020 was estimated to be 13.2%. For impoverished families, the winter season becomes more expensive due to the drastic weather change. Most families only bring in enough money to afford basic necessities but not enough to bring in other seasonal necessities such as warm clothes and cared-for coats. Coats are essential during the winter time because temperatures below freezing have been proven to cause diseases, frostbite, hypothermia, and more. Researchers from Blisstulle.com report that the cold can weaken the immune system leading to the body having a harder time fighting off infections. Dr.Khan reports in an article that children are more at risk when they are put in cold climates. Khan claims children are “more prone to heat loss in cold climates.” Cold temperatures can put children at risk of exercise-induced asthma and respiratory syncytial virus which is serious for infants. Coats can decrease these long-term effects because they slow thermal equilibrium which holds a person’s body heat to keep them warmer. When you donate a coat you are saving a child from these long-term effects and keeping them warmer for the season and seasons to come.
Donate Gently Used Coats!
Cozy Kids for a Cool Cause will accept all coats that are gently used. Gently used coats should be ready to wear with no stains, holes, or broken zippers. This ensures that the children of Weatherford are warm and confident.
Sources
US Census Bureau. (2022, June 9). Income and poverty in the United States: 2020. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-273.html
One Warm Coat. (2023, November 9). The Need For Coats – One Warm Coat. https://www.onewarmcoat.org/our-work/the-need/
Floyd, J. (2022, August 25). What Happens If You Don’t Wear A Coat? – Bliss Tulle. Bliss Tulle. https://blisstulle.com/what-happens-if-you-dont-wear-a-coat/
US Census Bureau. (2022b, June 9). Income and poverty in the United States: 2020. Census.gov. https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-273.html
Torres, S. (2013, December 6). Top 5 reasons you should donate a coat. New York Cares. https://www.newyorkcares.org/blogs/top-5-reasons-you-should-donate-coat
