Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Burlington, GRACE Team Up in Warm Coats, Warm Hearts Program in Grapevine

By Scott Price

Staff Writer

Burlington Coat Factory is having its annual coat drive, called "Warm Coats + Warm Hearts," and the coats donated at the Grapevine Mills store will be given to Grapevine Relief and Community Exchange [GRACE].

This national coat drive is also sponsored by One Warm Coat, a charity organization, and the television show Good Morning America. The drive will continue through Jan. 16. Last year, 175,000 coats were collected nationwide during the drive. GRACE received 386 coats from the Burlington store at Grapevine Mills.

GRACE Communications Manager Keith Miller said GRACE has seen about a 30 percent increase in requests for services this year, which the organization attributes to the poor economy.

Miller said the coats are vital to GRACE clients with the approach of cold weather.

"I’m sure it includes children’s coats also, because they realize that little ones are more affected by the cold," he said.

GRACE will receive coats every two weeks from the drive. Those who want to donate clothes directly to GRACE are asked to take the items to the GRACE Donation Station, 110 N. Scribner St. in Grapevine.

GRACE is a nonprofit agency started in 1987 that provides food, clothing, financial assistance, and other necessities to people who are struggling with a limited income or recent emergency. GRACE has additional programs, including the Outreach to Health Community Clinic and GRACE Transitional Housing. Miller said GRACE welcomes many types of donations, including money.

See www.gracegrapevine.org for details about GRACE.