Coats for Kids
The Coats for Kids project has grown out of an answer to prayer. I (Bob) started praying several years ago for a project that would have an impact on those less fortunate and also enable us to involve others. Four years ago my wife Pat and I joined an EPIC ministry trip to the Salvation Army Christmas Castle where they distribute NEW toys to needy families and USED coats to each family member. What my wife remembers most is that many of the coats were of poor quality, so much so that several families even turned the coats down. So we got the idea to “love our neighbors as ourselves” and to communicate to those in need that they are not second class citizens in the eyes of God. As one donor wrote: “Thank you for doing this. It is a great thing. I, too, grew up pretty poor and in a single parent household, and we took advantage of all assistance programs that we could. I remember the shame I felt with not being able to afford the things many of my friends had. “
So, we choose to buy NEW coats (we have a vendor who sells them to us at a discount or you can buy them on sale after the holidays) to give out at each Christmas Castle rather than used coats that may not be in good condition.
Our first year we set the very humble goal of donating 25 coats and we were able to donate 50. Each year God has increased our donations significantly: our second year we donated 200, our third year 624. Last year, our fourth, we were able to donate 1094 NEW coats to the Salvation Army. That means over 1000 kids will get to own a new coat for perhaps the first time in their lives. Just as importantly, their parents will feel good about sending them off to school. For a lot, if not all, of these kids, it may be the nicest piece of clothing they have ever owned.
Back to School event, August 2022
This past year several of us from Grace went down to help the Salvation Army distribute the coats. They ran out ½ way through the day. We know there are 1000’s of kids who did not get a new coat and that is why we are believing God to continue to grow our project. Our goal this year is to go beyond 1000 coats.
We hope many of you who did not get a chance to participate in the past will consider joining us this year so you can see firsthand how you can make a difference in a child’s life right here in Boston. We will be setting higher goals each year – the Salvation Army serves over 3000 families, so we have a ways to go. We hope you will join us.
Methods to give
If you are able to go and buy the coats, which we hope you will, just hold onto the receipt and when you turn the coats in, turn in the receipt and we will get a receipt for you from the Salvation Army. Text me or email me and we will arrange a time and place for me to pick them up. If you would like to simply donate money to the “Coats for Kids” project, here are some ways you can do that. 100% of the money will be used to buy coats and all contributions will receive a tax deductible (according to current laws) receipt that can be used when filing your taxes.
- Checks should be made out to Links Players and in the subject line please write LP Boston Coats. Mail it to: Links Players 755 North Peach Ave. Ste. E11, Clovis, Ca. 93611
- You can contribute online using your credit card by going to: linksplayers.com . In the upper right hand corner click on DONATE. Scroll down and click on BOSTON, fill out the donation form and put BOSTON COATS in the COMMENT section. Then click on DONATE and you will get a receipt from Links Players.
- You can also transfer the money (EFT) through “bill pay” at your bank. Just set up Links Players as one of your vendors/bills and use this address: Links Players 755 North Peach Ave. Ste. E11, Clovis, CA 93611. If your bank allows you to include a note when you pay a bill, please include: LP Boston Coats in the note space they provide. If you do not have the option of including a note, not to worry. We will get a print out with your name and will know that you intended the money for the coat project and you will get a receipt from Links Players.
- You can make a check out to Links Players, with LP Boston coats in the subject line, and mail it in to us at our address and we will mail it in for you and you will get a receipt from Links Players. Bob and Pat Kuecker, 15 Winslow Road, Reading, MA 01867
- If you have questions, please feel free to contact Bob, Laura, or Julie. Text or email us and we will arrange a time and place to pick them up:
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Bob Kuecker |
Laura Crosby |
Julie Martin |
Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”
The Coats
Dropping off
Loading Up
Delivery
