Local Kids, Pro Wrestlers Help with Coats 4 Kids
November 2004
By: Erika Brason
Some heavy-duty help has stepped into the ring to provide more Coats 4 Kids this week. News 4’s Erika Brason reports pro wrestlers have grabbed onto the campaign.
In Newfane, the Coats 4 Kids campaign could be called Kids 4 Kids.
Students from Newfane Intermediate and Middle Schools collected over 140 coats for needy children this season.
Anna Malone, a Newfane 5th grader, said, “I wanted to get involved because it was helping needy kids. [It’s a] really nice thing to do around Thanksgiving.”
They stuffed and stuffed the back of a van with bags full of coats, all ready to be cleaned and made like new.
Emily Flagler, a Newfane 6th grader, said, “It’s around Thanksgiving, and some people don’t have [the] great things we have, and sometimes we take them for granted.”
The coats were delivered to Gi-Ro Cleaners in Lockport, where the generous owners will clean them for free.
Luke Giansante of Gi-Ro Dry Cleaning said, “…and then we distribute them to children in need around here. [It’s] nice to help out kids in [the] local area.”
Adding to the warmth, some WWE superstars are poised to body slam the cold this winter.
Shelton Benjamin, Maven and Molly Holly took in 20-dollar donations Monday morning at the Walden Galleria, all to benefit Channel 4’s Coats 4 Kids campaign.
Molly Holly said, “I think it’s a great program, to have fans come in and bring Coats 4 Kids. Everyone should have a coat to wear this winter. [It’s] pretty cold here in New York. [It’s a] great program.”
The wrestlers are teaming up with West Seneca Americorps and the Army Reserve’s 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion.
There’s a big WWE televised event tonight at HSBC Arena. Prior to the show, fans had the opportunity to drop off coats and take a look at some Army Humvees.
The next Coats 4 Kids distribution date will be December 2 at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Buffalo.
Donated coats can still be dropped off at participating cleaners and here at Channel 4.