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Colvin Cleaners needs kids coats for 24th annual 'Coats 4 Kids' program

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Mon, Nov 4th 2019 01:55 pm

This year’s first distribution will be Saturday, Nov. 9

Colvin Cleaners is asking Western New Yorkers to go through their closets and donate gently used or new winter coats, jackets, gloves, hats and scarves for toddlers to young adults for families in need this winter season. The company is in desperate need of winter coats for children, from toddler to teens.

Donations for the 24th annual “Coats 4 Kids” program, sponsored by The Allstate Foundation, can be made at Colvin Cleaners: 2375 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore; and many of the Allstate Insurance agencies throughout WNY. For a complete listing and addresses of all locations, visit www.coats4kidswny.com.

“With our first public free distribution of coats a week away, we are putting out a call for kids coats because, based on phone calls we have received and past experience, we know we are going to need many more of them,” said Christopher Billoni, vice president of Colvin Cleaners. “The number of children we took care of last year, especially the children from refugee families, are now a year older and in need of a larger kids’ coat.”

The first distribution will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Knights of Columbus, 1530 Kenmore Ave., Buffalo. There is limit of one coat per person. Proper identification is needed.

Over the past 23 years, Colvin Cleaners has collected, cleaned, sorted and distributed – for free – more than 100,000 coats to children in need throughout WNY. Unfortunately, Billoni has seen the need an increase in need for coats each year.

“I am confident our generous neighbors throughout WNY will come through again for this much-needed drive,” he said. “For us, it is all worthwhile when families come in and go through the racks of coats or pick out a pair of gloves that will keep them warm this winter. When they smile or say ‘Thank you,’ it puts a tear in your eye.”

Phil Billoni founded Colvin Cleaners more than 80 years ago. His brothers, Tony and Santo, worked in the business for over 50 years. Tony’s son, Paul, has worked there for 42 years. His son, Christopher, is vice president and the third-generation member of the family business.

Colvin Cleaners is the only WNY drycleaners to use the environmentally friendly Green Earth cleaning solution. For more information, visit www.colvincleaners.com.

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