The Laredo Independent School District is teaming up with our sister station Telemundo Laredo to take donations for their first ever "Coat them with Love Campaign". The campaign is geared towards providing coats for less fortunate children; and as our Annette Garcia reports, the number of children who need them may be higher here in Texas than in any other state. “Our students already receive a lot of toys and school supplies. We wanted to do something a little different,” says Mimi Valdez-Rodriguez, Laredo ISD. Though getting clothes on Christmas isn't exactly on most kid's wish list, Laredo I.S.D. officials say it doesn't mean children can go without a good coat. But for less fortunate families, properly outfitting children for cold weather may be difficult. “We’ve seen a lot of children and we see how they go in their thin shirt when it’s 50 degrees outside,” says Claudia Rodriguez, Laredo ISD. Rodriguez says hundreds of children will benefit from ''Coat them with Love,'' a brand new month-long campaign to collect coats for Laredo kids. According to the Center for Public Policy Priorities, child poverty is significantly higher in Texas. Statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau show 1.5 million children under the age of 18, live below the poverty line in the Lone Star State. Over 521-thousand of those are under 5 years old. “We feel great that we’re going to be able to give a warm coat they can use,” says Rodriguez. Annette: “Organizers say they will be collecting coats for kids of all ages, all shapes, and sizes, and if they're gently used--don't worry because Comet Cleaners will be stepping in to help.” We have 111 so far, and a couple others we haven't counted but it's been a very good turnout. With one coat drive down, and another set for later this month, they hope the coats will come just in time for the holidays.
Annette Garcia, Pro 8 News. So here’s how you can help: if you’d like to donate a new or gently used coat, you can drop them off at any Comet Cleaners or Compass Bank. The district will be holding another donation drop-off coming up on November 28th at the Walmart on Loop 20 from 8 am until 1 p.m.