St. Vincent de Paul coat giveaway benefits kids
SEATTLE - Some children and teens are struggling with the onslaught of cold weather - waiting at the school bus stop without a coat.
And that explains why many parents and their children stood in line outside St. Vincent de Paul in 30-degree weather on Saturday for the one thing that will keep their kids warm this winter - a jacket.
"We had this one young man, and he had just a very tattered light coat, and he told me he hadn't had a new coat since the seventh grade, and I think he was in 11th," says Richard Bray, a St. Vincent volunteer.
If not for St. Vincent De Paul, many thousands of kids in Seattle would simply go cold this holiday season. The number of people calling for help - and not just for coats - doubled this year.
The nonprofit charity distributed the coat vouchers throughout several schools.
"It's just unreal to think that more than 15 minutes outside without a coat - just how cold it is and how many people really need help right now," says Janice Budner, a parent who received a coat for her daughter.
Another parent, Anne Takazon, helped her daughter Bailey pick out a coat.
"Bailey has what's called Raynaud's disease, so when she gets cold her fingers get white," Anne says.
Aeropostale donated more than 5,000 of the coats to St. Vincent de Paul.
"That's awesome, and I see a lot of people that are very deserving of getting a nice, warm coat - and something I hate to say, but stylish, so that the younger kids will wear it. And that's important, too, to keep them warm and help them feel like they fit in," says Anne.
Sabrina Budner brought her coat coupon, but she doesn't plan on keeping the jacket. She wants to give it to another student who may need it more.
"'Cause it's so cold, and I just want to help out," Sabrina says. "It's the holiday, and I just want to help out someone who needs it."
St. Vincent de Paul also will be collecting coats and blankets from donors all winter long.
And that explains why many parents and their children stood in line outside St. Vincent de Paul in 30-degree weather on Saturday for the one thing that will keep their kids warm this winter - a jacket.
"We had this one young man, and he had just a very tattered light coat, and he told me he hadn't had a new coat since the seventh grade, and I think he was in 11th," says Richard Bray, a St. Vincent volunteer.
If not for St. Vincent De Paul, many thousands of kids in Seattle would simply go cold this holiday season. The number of people calling for help - and not just for coats - doubled this year.
The nonprofit charity distributed the coat vouchers throughout several schools.
"It's just unreal to think that more than 15 minutes outside without a coat - just how cold it is and how many people really need help right now," says Janice Budner, a parent who received a coat for her daughter.
Another parent, Anne Takazon, helped her daughter Bailey pick out a coat.
"Bailey has what's called Raynaud's disease, so when she gets cold her fingers get white," Anne says.
Aeropostale donated more than 5,000 of the coats to St. Vincent de Paul.
"That's awesome, and I see a lot of people that are very deserving of getting a nice, warm coat - and something I hate to say, but stylish, so that the younger kids will wear it. And that's important, too, to keep them warm and help them feel like they fit in," says Anne.
Sabrina Budner brought her coat coupon, but she doesn't plan on keeping the jacket. She wants to give it to another student who may need it more.
"'Cause it's so cold, and I just want to help out," Sabrina says. "It's the holiday, and I just want to help out someone who needs it."
St. Vincent de Paul also will be collecting coats and blankets from donors all winter long.