WIBH Radio New Coats, New Hope Campaign begins
The cooler weather not only is a reminder that winter is fast approaching, but also that hundreds of children each year throughout Southern Illinois brave the cold without a warm coat.
Since 2011, WIBH Radio in Anna has partnered with local agencies and businesses to hold an annual New Coats, New Hope Campaign.
The campaign is a fund-raising effort presented by WIBH and Operation Warm, a 501 c3 charitable organization that provides new, winter coats to children in need throughout the United States.
New Coats, New Hope’s purpose is to provide new coats to children ages 3 to 16 living in the lower 45 counties of Illinois.
Through the years, over 1,500 new coats have been purchased. The campaign’s goal for 2018 is 400 coats.
The coats received through this year’s campaign will be distributed to kids affected by abuse, neglect, disaster and family need through the Children’s Medical & Mental Health Resource Network, CMMHRN, Head Start locations in Anna, Goreville and Vienna and the Family Counseling Center.
There is no paperwork to fill out or proof of income required to receive a coat.
“Families in crisis should not have to worry if their child is warm, dry and feeling safe and secure. As long as there are coats available, any child living in Southern Illinois who needs a coat will not be turned away,” WIBH sales manager Shawnna Rhine said in a news release.
Many local businesses are showing their support for this year’s campaign by helping WIBH get the message to donors, including:
Jus10’s Frozen Yogurt & Dessert Shoppe, Anna Tire & Auto Center, Cobden Auto Repair, Southpass Beads & Fibers, Southern Illinois Healthcare, RE/MAX Southern Real Estate, Bailey Monument Company, EZ Portable Buildings, Shelter Insurance, United Contractors of America, LLC (UCOA), Southern Bank, Auto Tire & Parts NAPA, Seafood Specialties, Sullivan Plumbing, Crabtree & Merriman Drs. of Optometry, Norm’s Woodworking, L&P Carpet, Anna-Jonesboro National Bank, Trainor Ag Products, LLC, Postal Pal and the Shawnee Mass Transit District.
Sponsorship of a coat is $20, but any monetary amount is appreciated. Each year Postal Pal in Anna covers the shipping of the coats, which allows 100 percent of all donations to go directly to purchasing the coats.
Anyone making a donation by check or money order must make it payable to Operation Warm and send it to WIBH Radio, Attn: Shawnna Rhine, 330 S. Main St., Anna, Ill. 62906, or bring it to one of the campaign sponsors listed above, by Dec. 14, 2018. Cash donations will also be accepted.
For more information, visit wibhradio.com or on Facebook at WIBH New Coats, New Hope Campaign. To request a coat for a child in need, contact Shawnna Rhine at WIBH at 833-9424. To learn more about Operation Warm, visit operationwarm.org.