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.

One of the most disheartening reasons is what often makes most children and teenagers homeless…broken homes due to marital discord and divorce.

“First, his parents, whose marriage had imploded, disappeared. A few days later, Brewer came home from school to an eviction notice posted on the front door.” (Washington Post)

Many homeless youth are forced to the street, not by their own choice, but by the people they should naturally be able to count on and trust – their parents.  According to a report done by First Focus, federal data shows that the number of homeless children and youth identified in public schools has increased for the second year in a row, and by 41% over the past two school years.

Homeless students enrolled in Indiana schools has risen by 26% in these past two school years.

This statistic is only able to capture the number of youth who are enrolled in school.  Assistance for students is hard to find because many students enrolled in school are couch surfing with friends or family. Youth who do this do not qualify as homeless under the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition.

There are a few resources that do help Indy’s homeless youth - HealthNet’s Homeless Initiative Program, Outreach, Inc., and Schools on Wheels. The Salvation Army here in Central Indiana also offers after-school programs at our Fountain Square and Eagle Creek Corps.

Do you know of other resources for homeless youth? Let us know and we’ll share that too!

Doesn’t a cookout sound good right now? You know the kind where the entire neighborhood comes together to spend time eating hamburgers, talking, listening to music, and playing games outside? We think so… That’s why we’re hosting our very first Red Kettle Cookout on May 12, 2011 and inviting you to join the fun!

One of the wonderful things about cook-outs is that everyone who comes brings a little something different. The Salvation Army is a bit like that, too.

When people like you and organizations like yours contribute to The Salvation Army, we’re able to put your unique contributions to good use by helping people and families with diverse needs. Thanks to you, children who need homes are given shelter; families which need a financial burden lifted are given support; adults who struggle with addictions are given a chance to overcome them; and people escaping abuse are given protection. The Salvation Army is a church and a social service organization–all of your gifts are used to serve others. This means everything we do through you helps bring hope and lasting change to the people we serve. That’s quite a powerful cookout!

The Red Kettle Cookout provides us with an opportunity to share what we’ve done together in Indiana for the past 128 years and what we continue to do with your support 365 days a year. It also gives us a chance to invite more people to get involved. And, yes, it also gives us a chance to enjoy good music, delicious food, and our wonderful community! Admission is free and food and drink tickets are available for purchase.

This event takes place rain or shine from 10 am to 2 pm at University Park downtown – right across from the Indianapolis Star building.

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

Homelessness bites for central Indiana families. It’s unfortunate that many of those affected by homelessness are women and children who are escaping abusive and sometimes violent situations. Last month, we assisted nearly 300 children and 200 women at our Shelter for Women and Children.

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be implementing some exciting new initiatives to help combat one of the issues associated with children and homelessness – childhood hunger. Our first events will kick-off with Global Youth Service Day – April 15-17 and culminate with Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week November 14-20. With over 17 million children in the US living at risk of hunger, we know this is an important issue. Hopefully, with so many of our homeless population being children, we can at least educate them to be able to lead more healthy and productive lives.

Check back soon for more details on how you can get involved.