RALEIGH, N.C. – On Saturday, Raleigh Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources hosted its 12th annual “Coats Cause We Care” children’s coat drive.

Over the last month, hundreds of coats were collected at drop-off locations around the city to help families in need.

“One of the beauties about this time of year is that people always seem to be very helpful when it comes to giving, they understand the concept of giving, and Raleigh has always stepped up when people have a need,” says Community Center Director Grady Bussey.

More coats were collected this year than ever before; 436 to be exact.

“It meant a lot to be able to come and get my little brother a free coat on his birthday,  that experience was really nice, especially during COVID-19 when things have been hard,” says Paris Savage.

Over the course of the day, over 300 families were helped by the event, and not a single coat was left hanging at the Sgt. Courtney T. Johnson Community Center.