Forever Mid-Shore’s WCEI & WINX once again co-sponsored the annual Arlene M. John “Koats for Kids” Drive, held November 14-30, 2022, generating hundreds of donations of winter gear for people in need on the Mid-Shore.
Mid Atlantic Tire owner Terry John originally started collecting gently used children’s coats in memory of his late wife. What was initially considered to most likely be a one-year coat drive, soon became an annual tradition. “We just wanted to do something to memorialize Arlene, and we wanted it to involve children, because she loved kids,” said John. “I thought it was going to be a one-year thing, but people have kept coming back year after year, donating coats…and the Neighborhood Service Center says they have the need…so we’ll keep on doing it.”
The coats (both “gently used” and now even donations of brand new coats) are collected at Mid-Atlantic Tire’s Easton location through most of November. The used coats are given a complimentary cleaning by Admiral Cleaners before being distributed to underprivileged kids in the area by the Neighborhood Service Center.
This this was one of the best years for the drive, with nearly 600 coats donated, along with dozens of scarves, knit hats and gloves!