Colvin Cleaners needs coats as 25th annual 'Coats 4 Kids' program begins

Allstate Foundation, Fidelis Care support program

Colvin Cleaners is encouraging 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 25th annual “Coats 4 Kids” program, supported by The Allstate Foundation and Fidelis Care, is underway and donations can be made at Colvin Cleaners, 2375 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore; local Allstate Insurance agencies; and two Reeds Jenss locations. For a complete listing and addresses of all locations, visit www.coatsforkidswny.com.

Colvin Cleaners’ customers who use the free pickup and delivery service for dry cleaning or laundry can have their donations picked up right from their homes. They can sign up for the free service at www.colvincleaners.com.

Colvin Cleaners has had to change the format of its annual distribution of coats this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than have a large gathering of people come to a specific location, the company will be working with local nonprofit agencies throughout Western New York to distribute coats, hats, scarves, gloves and boots to families in need. As it finalizes the partnerships and details of the distributions, more information will be available on its website.

“While the pandemic is forcing us to change the way we have distributed the coats this year, we know from the communication we have had with families that the need for warm winter coats continues to grow. More than ever, we need people to donate new or gently used coats, jackets, gloves, hats and scarves,” said Christopher Billoni, vice president of Colvin Cleaners, a nearly 100-year-old family business. “Through the generosity of our neighbors, we will be able to supply coats to all families who otherwise could not afford them. We all know how cold it gets here in WNY, so we need to make sure everyone can stay warm.”

Over the past 24 years, Colvin Cleaners has collected, cleaned, sorted and distributed – for free – more than 100,000 coats to children and families in need throughout Western New York.