'Trav's Coats For Kids' Distribution Starts

People can start picking up coats through "Trav's Coats for Kids."

Each year, about 10,000 people are warmer during the winter because of this coat drive.

The coats will be available to pick up until mid-January, and church leaders say they hope to give out every coat that's donated to Oklahomans in need. 

"We try to get those coats right before it gets really, really cold so that they're able to have that coat through the cooler months, but then when it gets to the brutal cold that we had last year,” said Yale Cleaners Owner John Rothrock.

Rothrock says they've been part of Coats for Kids for 35 years.

You can bring in new or gently used coats to any of their 11 locations across the Tulsa area. Any size counts along with scarves, gloves, and hats.

Rothrock says employees clean the coats during the extra time on shift. While this comes at a cost, he says seeing the reaction is priceless.

"When you get to go and see that family that gets that coat and the smile gets on their face, their parents not having to worry about that one little thing, it makes a huge impact,” Rothrock said.

Once clean, the coats are taken to two distribution centers, First Baptist Church Tulsa and First Baptist Caring Center South.

First Baptist Church Pastor Deron Spoo says around 2,000 have already been donated, about a fifth of the goal. As coats are brought in, they're given out.    

"This is ongoing generosity through the winter,” Spoo said.

It’s small action with a big result: one more person staying warm this winter.

"When you're cold, it's hard to think about anything else. And something I think we do well in Northeastern Oklahoma is care about one another,” Spoo said.

Donations will be accepted until January 15, and distributions will be going on until then at both locations. 

At First Baptist Church Tulsa, you can pick up coats on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

At Caring Center South, the times are Mondays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

You can find more information here: Coats for Kids (newson6.com)