Aurora raising money to buy new coats for kids in need

The Kiwanis Club of Aurora is joining the city, Communities in Schools and area businesses in a citywide effort to deliver new coats to children who need them.

The Coats for Kids drive is seeking to raise $25,000 to defray the cost of distributing more than 2,000 coats to students from the elementary level though high school in East Aurora District 131, West Aurora District 129, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Oswego District 308.

Coats will be distributed in late October to 53 schools based on social workers' recommendations.

The Coats for Kids program was started by 7th Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and 2nd Ward Alderman Juany Garza. Archie Needam, president of the club in 2009, joined forces with the aldermen by providing funds and volunteers to sort and deliver the coats.

The community is invited to help purchase coats by sending a check, payable to Aurora Illinois Kiwanis Foundation, to Kiwanis Club of Aurora, P.O. Box 1551, Aurora, 60507.

Aurora Kiwanis President Bill Donnell said the club strives to uphold its mission of serving the children of the world, and that serving youngsters in and around Aurora is a significant way to make that mission come true locally.

"We are proud of our partnership with the city, Communities in Schools and the aldermen who started this worthwhile program," Donnell said. "Coats for Kids is truly a community effort and we appreciate each and every donation."