Watertown Middle School students are collecting winter coats for kids and families through Jan. 10, 2026. The coats will be cleaned by Anton’s and given to local non-profits. See details provided by Watertown Middle School and Anton’s.
Coats of all sizes needed: Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids & Families seeks warm winter coat donations through Jan. 10, 2026.
Watertown Middle School is collecting warm winter coats to fulfill one mission: “Anyone who needs a coat will have one.”
As the price of everyday items like groceries and gasoline continues to rise, government SNAP benefits are on hold, and temperatures start to drop, families struggling with expenses may find that a warm winter coat is a necessity that isn’t in the budget. This year, thousands of children and adults may otherwise not have access to warm winter coats. As New England’s largest coat drive for more than 30 years, Caring Partners’ Coats for Kids & Families collects gently used coats of all sizes and for all ages from October 14, 2025 through January 10, 2026. In Watertown, Watertown Middle School (K-8) located at 68 Waverly Ave. is a local collection partner and all schools, organizations, and businesses are invited to start their own collection.
After collection, all coats are professionally cleaned by Anton’s and given to local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools for distribution. Due to the economic downturn, 50,000 warm coats are needed to help adults and children who may not be able to afford a winter coat this year.
School groups, corporations, communities, neighborhoods, and kind individuals are also welcome to donate coats for children and adults at any Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, and Rockland Trust location now through January 10, 2026.
Sponsored by Anton’s Cleaners, Jordan’s Furniture, and Rockland Trust Coats for Kids & Families has collected, cleaned, and distributed 1,275,912 free coats at more than 70 collection locations and events since the program began in 1995.
Coats for Kids & Families accepts warm winter coats that are new or gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor does the drive accept sweatshirts, vests and spring coats, boots, scarves, or gloves.
“Our company is very proud to give back to the community through our Caring Partners charity. For more than three decades, we have been steadfast and focused on one simple but important mission: anyone who needs a coat will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton’s Cleaners and founder of the program. “Companies, schools, nonprofits, and clubs work hard every year to help us collect, clean, and distribute 50,000 winter coats to anyone who needs one.”
According to Eliot Tatelman from Jordan’s Furniture, “Jordan’s is happy to continue our support of Coats for Kids & Families by collecting coats and ensuring that anyone who needs a warm, winter coat will have one. Additionally, by donating funds for the popular School Rewards Program, Jordan’s Furniture provides an extra incentive for schools while teaching students the importance of supporting area families in their community. We are proud to, again, be a part of this wonderful program.”
“With our long-standing tradition of community support, we are pleased to be a corporate partner for Coats for Kids & Families and help broaden their reach by increasing the number of collection sites. As the need increases, Rockland Trust supports the project’s mission to collect, clean, and distribute warm winter coats to those in need,” said Peg McCarthy, Chief Retail Banking Officer, Rockland Trust. “Our generous customers and heart-centered communities are looking forward to collecting more coats than ever before to help even more kids and families.”
Past partners include Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Middlesex Human Service Agency, Women’s Lunch Place, BU Medical Center Outreach Van Project, Wish Project, Community Giving Tree, Mental Health Association of Greater Lowell, Strafford County Community Action, Catholic Charities, and more.