Smith County Begins ‘Coats for Kids’ Drive to Help Area Children

Cooler temperatures have invaded East Texas, which are welcomed after scorching summer temps, but the temps won't stop at being  comfortable, it'll be getting much colder soon and there are many kids right here in Tyler and Smith County that will go without a coat this winter. That's where you come in and can help keep at least one child warm this winter by donating a new or gently used coat for a child from birth to 18.

PATH (People Attempting To Help) kicked off their annual Coats For Kids campaign yesterday and it runs throughout the month of October. New and gently used coats can be dropped off at Tyler and Smith County participating dry cleaners, where they will be cleaned and taken to PATH for distribution at the beginning of November. They are also collecting hats and gloves this year too.

Make a quick pass through your closets and see which coats you or your kids have outgrown and donate them to PATH or drop them off at one of the following dry cleaners:

Dry Clean Super Center
7202 S. Broadway, Tyler

Eagle Cleaners
404 Hwy. 110 South, Whitehouse

Hart's Cleaners
12912 Hwy. 155 South, Tyler
5502 Old Bullard Rd., Tyler
3710 Troup Hwy.,Tyler
6420 S. Broadway, Tyler
12441 Hwy. 64 East, Tyler (Chapel Hill)

Lindale Cleaners
406 S. Main, Lindale

Lucky's Cleaners
240 SSW Loop 323, Tyler
12856 Hwy. 155 South, Tyler

Regency Cleaners
5920 Old Bullard Rd., Tyler
122 W. Amherst, Tyler

Shannon's Cleaners
2012 W. Gentry Pkwy., Tyler

West Gentry Dry Cleaners
2224 W. Gentry Pkwy., Tyler

VIP Cleaners
2631 University, Tyler
4723 Troup Hwy., Tyler
5008 Paluxy, Tyler
904-A Main St., Lindale
16990 FM 2493, Flint

The Cleaning Company
3923 Troup Hwy., Tyler
510 Ssw Loop 323, Tyler
4200 Old Bullard Rd., Tyler
2704 Fifth Street, Tyler
120 Troup Hwy., Tyler
15852 FM 2493, Tyler (Old Jacksonville Hwy.)

Last year PATH supplied coats to more than 3700 kids, thanks to your donations, and the need is still there.

Coats will be distributed on Saturday, November 17th from 8a - 2p and Sunday, November 18th from 12n - 4p at 3000 N. Border (old Griffin elementary school gym).

To receive a coat for your child they must produce ID of any kind (photo, birth certificate, social security card, school id or report card).  The parent or legal guardian of the child must present photo ID and proof of Smith County residency (water bill, official document mailed).  All children in need of a coat must be present to receive a coat and to ensure a proper fit for them.