Bob Gregory and fan "Mark" celebrate 25th Anniversary of Coats for Kids at Tuchman Cleaners

The Coats for Kids campaign was started 25 years ago – a partnership between WTHR, The Salvation Army and Tuchman Cleaners. This means that for 25 years, those folks have been hard at work, year after year, providing a coat to any child in the Central Indiana area who needs one. Nearly 200,000 coats have been distributed to children in need during those 25 years!  Now that’s something to celebrate!

In honor of the 25th anniversary of this ongoing campaign, representatives from each Coats for Kids partner gathered at the Fishers Tuchman Cleaners for a public celebration. It was an effort to make one last push for coat donations, as well as to give applause to the longest running public service campaign through WTHR’s community affairs department. The Salvation Army canteen served warm hot dogs free of charge as a gesture of gratefulness for all who support Coats for Kids. Kids enjoyed our Red Kettle bounce house and a few games. Weather Director Emeritus for WTHR Channel 13, Bob Gregory,  was there to meet and greet the public along with other WTHR staff . Gregory is the Coats for Kids Honorary Chairman and spearheaded the original idea. “It is unique for a partnership like this to not only continue, but grow over the past 25 years.  Tuchman Cleaners, WTHR -TV and the Salvation Army’s cooperation in this Autumn program keeps the entire central community warm all year long. Now a quarter of a century long, I don’t think there is anything like it,” said Gregory.

For Tuchman Cleaners, the campaign means collecting coats at all of their 25 locations around Central Indiana and cleaning them daily. The coats are picked up by The Salvation Army for storing at their Divisional Headquarters or taken by Tuchman’s shuttle drivers  directly to the Indiana State Fairgrounds during the week of distribution. Mike Washington, Tuchman’s District Manager over all 25 Tuchman locations shared at the celebration, “The partnership means a lot for Tuchman. We appreciate WTHR keeping it going for 25 years. This year, I think we’ll be able to keep a lot of kids warm all season long.”

The Coats for Kids campaign has received recognition for making a difference in the lives of children in Central Indiana, such as the Arthur W. Page Mid-America Award for Excellence in Corporate Communication and also a CASPER (Community Appreciation for Public Enlightenment & Relations) given by United Way. As of Friday, prior to the event at Tuchman, coats collected totaled 5,375  between the members of the partnership. Donations will be accepted through Monday, October 24, at any Tuchman Cleaners or on The Salvation Army Indiana Division’s website.

Proceeds from Apple Fest support The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Bites initiative – which includes programs and services at our Shelter for Women & Children in downtown Indy. Coat donations are also collected at the event, on behalf of WTHR &  Bob Gregory’s Coats for Kids campaign.  Bob joined us yesterday on the Circle, along with WTHR’s Chris Wright. By the end of the event, our coat collection boxes were overflowing with children’s coats. THANK YOU!

A big THANK YOU to Applebee’s for providing the lunch, MCL Restaurant & Bakery for providing the apple crisp, Kroger for providing the ice cream, Two Men And A Truck for purchasing the drinks, Bandwagon for providing the music, and to WIBC and Nuvo for helping us promote this event that will help us continue “Doing the Most Good!”

Further, we’d be remiss to not say THANK YOU to the rest of Apple Fest’s sponsors:

• Adrian Orchards
• School on Wheels
• Party Time Rental
• Indiana Weslyan University
• Community Reinvestment Foundation
• Second Helpings
• Trusted Mentors
• HealthNet Community Health Centers
• DeVry University
• Comedy Sportz
• Indiana Repertory Theater
• Oberwiess Dairy
• SmarTravel
• Geek Brigade, Inc.
• Daddy Real Entertainment
• Huntington Bank
• South Bend Chocolate Co.
• Sho-Pro of Indiana
• Hendricks Co. Professional
• Usborne Books & More
• Women’s Business Assoc.
• Colts mascot Blue
• Comcast
• LA Fitness

And for representing various programs and services of The Salvation Army:

• Women’s Auxiliary
• Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC)
• TSA Eagle Creek
• TSA Fountain Square
• TSA Harbor Light
• TSA Social Service Center

Channel 13 will again join forces with Tuchman Cleaners and the Salvation Army to collect new or gently-used coats for children in need from Labor Day through October 24^th.   If you have a winter coat that your child has outgrown, please donate it to Coats for Kids at any of the 25 Tuchman Cleaners locations throughout the Greater Indianapolis area. We are collecting children’s heavy winter coats of all sizes – coats for little babies and all the way through the teen years. Shop for a coat to donate here in our easy to use, secure coat shop!

And coats are not all we are collecting. Since this year is significant in the history of the campaign, we’d like to compile a special series of stories – your stories! Share with us how you or someone you know has been impacted by Coats for Kids – whether you’ve assisted families by volunteering at the distribution, shopped for coats to donate, or been given a coat for your child….we want to let our community know just how important this campaign has been! For more information about the event and to share your stories, check out WTHR’s Coats for Kids page here.

This year, the Coats for Kids distribution will take place on Saturday, October 29^th from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Marsh Agricultural Building at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  Any child who needs a coat will receive one that day.  There is only one requirement: an adult must accompany all children and there is a limit of one coat per child.  Bilingual (Spanish) volunteers will also be on site to assist non-English speaking families.

The Colts will hold a special Coats for Kids collection on Sunday, September 25^th at the main gates of the Lucas Oil Stadium right before they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. WTHR personalities and volunteers from Tuchman Cleaners and the Salvation Army will be there to accept coat and cash donations from Colts fans.

Here’s a few comments we’ve received from the community so far:

“I was having a garage sale last year and a couple of ladies came up and wanted to buy all my kids coats. They asked how much and told me they do this all summer to give to coats for kids. Of course I charged them nothing! Way to go to your volunteers!!!”

“Every year my siblings and I make sure we donate because we had hard working parents that struggled to buy us winter coats, hats, boots.and gloves when we were children. My parents refused to endure the
humiliation imposed by the staff at the Trustee office in those days. Sometimes working people need a little help without the humiliation. Thanks Bob Gregory and channel 13. New fresh smelling warm properly fitting coats are awesome. Give new coats if you can.”

“Yes my kids have recieved coats one yr, it was the year my family was finacially hurting badly and couldnt afford to buy the simplest things for the kids so we took them to get new coats that yr they seen that i didnt even have a coat for myself and asked me to try one on and i too got to walk away with a warm coat along with my three kids. Thanks Coats for kids without we would have frozen.”

ABC News’ Press Room – August 19, 2011

With much of the recent media spotlight on hunger in Africa, ABC News will begin a new series “Hunger at Home: Crisis in America” Wednesday, August 24. Weekend anchor David Muir, Steve Osunsami, Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser, and Deborah Roberts will give a full day of reports, “examining the growing number of families in the United States who go hungry.

Reports will appear on “Good Morning America,” “World News with Diane Sawyer” and “Nightline” as well as ABC News Radio and ABCNews.com throughout the day.

ABC News President Ben Sherwood says, “We believe our audience will be moved by the stories of Americans struggling to feed their families. And we know they will be inspired to action when they learn the simple things they can do to make a difference.”

“While seeing first-hand how famine is stealing children from their parents in Africa, there is also a portrait of hunger hidden right here in America. We must sound the alarm for the children in our own neighborhoods and towns who frequently go to bed having survived one more day of hunger,” said David Muir.

At The Salvation Army, we are dedicated to providing nutritious meals to those who come to our shelter, our community centers, senior housing and addiction recovery programs – in addition to assisting families with our local food pantries and with monetary assistance on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to help us support those families in need, you may donate through this secure donation page or mail your donation to:

The Salvation Army Indiana Division

3100 N. Meridian Street

Indpls., IN  46208

Julie Marsh, Domestic Violence Network, July 29,2011.

The Domestic Violence Network (DVN) hosted a press conference, July 29, 2011 to address the lack of emergency shelter space available for victims of domestic abuse in Indianapolis. The press conference was held at The Salvation Army Headquarters, 3100 N. Meridian Street.

Emergency bed space for those in immediate danger is facilitated by The Salvation Army Indiana Division. With this bed space at a critical low, Indpls. Mayor Ballard asked the DVN to look at a long-term solution for the city.

Connect2Help/211, reported domestic abuse related calls to the DMV Hub increased 36% from May 2009 to May 2011. With several days left in July 2011, there are more domestic abuse-related calls this month than there were in July 2010, and 30% more than in July 2009. The Salvation Army Social Service Center reported assisting 318 more individuals with emergency shelter and support services to date in 2011 than it did this time last year, and has seen an alarming 53% increase in young (17-22) adults served, oftentimes with children.

Susan Solomon, Divisional Social Services Director for The Salvation Army Indiana, attended the press conference and shared about how TSA’s shelter is being affected by these numbers. “Last week, we purchased new mattresses to lay on the floors and moved furniture to make room. We are reaching out to you, our partners, to say help us to help you in helping your neighbor.”

Betsey Whaley, Director of Housing and Outreach for The Julian Center cited economic shortfall, depletion of government funding and an end to unemployment benefits as possible reasons for the increase in numbers of those seeking shelter. “85% of people seeking shelter and assistance have less than $15,000 per year incomes, therefore it takes longer to get them into stable, sustainable housing.”

Mary Jo Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Alternatives, Inc., says, “In my 28 years of service, I’ve never seen it quite like this. It’s really frightening me as to what we’re going to see happening.” Alternatives, Inc. has seen a 22% increase in requests for their services.

Maria Larrison, CEO of Sheltering Wings Center for Women was also in attendance and made her plea, stating that Sheltering Wings, located in Danville, has seen a 200% increase in crisis calls and a 51% increase in those coming to their doors for help. For the first time ever, they are having to place women on a waiting list for shelter.

Jennifer Pope Baker, Executive Director, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, shared some insight into the Women’s Fund is investing in relationship programs and economic empowerment to hopefully prevent women from entering into and staying in abusive relationships. Pope Baker says,”This doesn’t just happen to someone else, but to our families, our neighbor, our coworker. All of us need to be engaged to alleviate this problem.”

Collectively, these women are calling the public to come together and send financial support through the DVN. “We will make sure it gets to the agencies who are partners in ending this problem. It’s going to people – real people who are in life threatening situations,” said Betsey Whalen, The Julian Center. Their immediate goal is $30,000, keeping in mind that this is not a long-term solution but can provide approx. 370 nights of non-shelter housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence. “Getting people to safety is the most critical issue here. Saving lives – that is what we are about.”

60 minutes recently did a story called "Homeless Children: The Hard Times Generation."

With the national unemployment rate still hovering around 9 percent, a new generation of homeless children is starting to emerge. Recently, 60 minutes reporter Scott Pelley did a story called Homeless Children: The Hard Times Generation.

The Salvation Army is fighting homelessness right here in Indianapolis.  Find out how you can help out and Bite Back against homelessness.

WHAT: Global Youth Services Weekend Kick-Off
WHERE: 3100 North Meridian St., Indianapolis
TIME: 11 am until 5:30 pm
*Easter Bunny visits from 3:30 pm until 5:30 pm

The comics that care: Jon Stites, Troy Davis, Stan Chen, Marques Bunn, and Mike Polites.

Comedy Sportz, known for its improve, was stirring up laughs of a different sort on Monday night as it hosted the fifth annual Comics That Care to benefit The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Bites campaign.

The live stand-up comedy event sponsored by the IUPUI Department of Communication Studies, the IUPUI Communication Club and The Salvation Army, raises money to help Central Indiana’s homeless children. Some of the area’s funniest professional stand-up comedians helped the cause including Stan Chen, Marques Bunn, Jon Stites, Troy Davis, and Mike Polites who conceived of Comics that care five years ago.

In addition to performing stand-up comedy, Polites is also a Lecturer in Communication Studies at IUPUI. Polites says that “as faculty members at IUPUI, we pride ourselves on getting our students to realize the importance of helping out the community. With all of the comedians graciously donating their time, proceeds from the comedy show will assist in bringing much-needed resources to the growing homeless population in Indianapolis. I’m so proud of the efforts that my students have put forth in coordinating this very special and very funny event.

Also helping out with the event was Comedy Sportz, who donated the venue for the evening.  Comedy Sportz has been a partner with The Salvation Army for years, helping out with the Tree of Lights campaign, Apple Fest, and other Salvation Army events.

The new “Text2Give” campaign will allow donors to make a gift using their cell phone. By texting the word “RING” to 85944 they can donate $5, or by texting the word “GIVE” to 85944 they’ll be able to make a $10 donation. This new texting option will be displayed at all Red Kettle locations. “Not a lot of people carry cash anymore and this just gives them another option to make a donation when they pass a kettle,” said Jeff Stanger, Development Director for The Salvation Army.

Along with the new Text campaign, The Salvation Army is putting more of an emphasis on Social Media. To help kick-off the Tree of Lights campaign, the Army will be running a companion campaign using Facebook and Twitter. 10,000 Meals 10 Days, will engage followers and ask them to “Like” or “Retweet” the cause which will provide meals for those in need. “We’re expanding our social media efforts this Christmas season. Social Media allows to talk with donors and volunteers, not just to donors and volunteers. That’s incredibly important because being relevant means listening to and adapting with the needs of our community. Social Media can help us do that more effectively,” said Stanger.

Based on the cost of a meal served at our shelter or any one of our community centers in the city, 10,000 Meals 10 Days is aimed at continuing to feed those who come to us hungry and needing assistance. WISH-TV will be promoting the campaign on their website with a video that can also be found at http://salvationarmyindiana.org.

The Tree of Lights Kick-Off is 11:15 AM this Thursday, November 18, at The Salvation Army’s Headquarters on 3100 North Meridian Street. This year’s goal is $2.93 million dollars. The campaign will run through January 31, 2011. You can follow this year’s campaign by clicking the link above.

Cornhole is becoming a tradition at Salvation Army events and tomorrow is no exception. Thanks to a generous donation from Indy Custom Cornhole, we’ll have 2 cornhole sets ready for players tomorrow at Apple Fest on Monument Circle.

So, gather up a group of co-workers and head on over to the Circle any time between 10am – 3pm and put those lunch dollars to work for a good cause – homeless women and kids. Enjoy some freshly grilled sandwiches and a bag of chips from Applebee’s, sodas and water from Ricker’s, apple cobbler from GFS Marketplace and make it a la mode courtesy of Kroger.

We’ll even give you a chance to work off some calories when you throw a game of cornhole before heading back to the office.

We’ve got plenty of food and fun in store. So, spread the word, stop by the ATM and meet us there. We’ll be waiting!