MAINE, USA — UPDATE: Thank you to all those that donated to NEWS CENTER Maine's Coats and Toys for Kids campaign. A total of 14,044 coats, 3,250 toys, and $12,330 was collected from 2022.
The Salvation Army is delivering the toys statewide to Mainers for the holidays.
You can still mail a check to The Salvation Army to help purchase warm winter coats for Mainers this winter season.
Mail in a check to The Salvation Army at:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 3647
Portland, ME 04104
Please remember to put in the Memo: Coats & toys for Kids
ORIGINAL STORY: It’s NEWS CENTER Maine’s 40th annual Coats and Toys for Kids campaign.
And great news, as we're excited to announce that after a couple of years away, we'll be back in stores and in person this year.
You can still purchase coats and toys from THE NCM COATS AND TOYS FOR KIDS WISH LIST. But just in time for the 40th anniversary of Coats and Toys for Kids, you'll soon be seeing those familiar collection boxes that were donated by PepsiCo, in several Hannaford and Shaw's stores around the state. The coats are cleaned by Pratt Abbott. From there, The Salvation Army will make sure they get to kids who really need them all across Maine.
Whichever option you choose, through the wish list or by dropping off a coat and toy in stores, you are helping a Mainer in need this holiday season.
How to purchase a new coat and/or toys this year from the NCM Wish List:
- You can text the word KIDS to 828-6622 and The 2022 Wish List will be sent to your phone. (Items begin at $2 and range to $90. A quick and easy way to help Mainers stay warm through the winter and bring a smile to a child’s face during the holidays.)
- Those that would like to donate to NCM’s Coats and Toys for Kids campaign, but may not be able to text, can click the link here and be directed to the Wish List.
- NOTE: Please remember that when you proceed to The Checkout – to click the address called ‘NEWS CENTER Maine Coats and Toys for Kids’.
You can send a check in as well:
You can also mail in a check to The Salvation Army at:
The Salvation Army
P.O. Box 3647
Portland, ME 04104
Please remember to put in the Memo: Coats & toys for Kids
Dates, times, locations:
Coats will be accepted Tuesday, Nov. 15 through Saturday, Dec. 31.
Toys will be accepted from Tuesday, Nov. 15, through Saturday, Dec. 10, leaving time to distribute to those in need for the holiday season.
NCM's Coats and Toys for Kids Day - December 3
Thank you to all that stopped by the 5 locations at Hannaford, Shaw's and Pratt Abbott on December 3 for NEWS CENTER Maine's Coats and Toys for Kids Day. More than 2,000 coats and 1,000 toys were collected during the day.
2022 NCM Coats and Toys for Kids Day
Coats and Toys For Kids campaign history:
This campaign was started in 1983. It was designed to collect coats for kids who cannot afford a warm winter coat throughout the state of Maine. Years later, there was a need for toys for the holiday season and News Center added that to the Coats campaign, becoming Coats and Toys for Kids campaign.
Each year, boxes in several Hannaford and Shaw’s stores in the state let people donate their used coats through the month of December and new toys until the middle of December. All of the coats go to Pratt Abbott Cleaners where they are cleaned and stored until they are distributed by Salvation Army along with the toys. Pepsico (formerly Pepsi) has assisted this great effort by donating and delivering the boxes to all of the Hannaford and Shaw’s stores.
Over the past 39 years, NEWS CENTER Maine has collected an estimation of more than 841,000 coats, all of which have helped to keep Maine children warm. Since 2004, they have collected 78,800 toys to distribute to those in need during the holiday season.