OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — This year's Warmth for Winter Coat drive was a success. During the month of January, KMTV held our annual winter wear drive, and set out bins at Godfather's Pizza locations throughout the metro area.
Heartland Hope Mission had set a goal of 1,500 items.
"We had set the goal originally just based off of what last years numbers were we had ran out of coats last year. So we knew that there was more of a need this year so we were just hoping to increase a little bit to meet more of the need," said Chelsea Salifou, CEO of Heartland Hope Mission.
The community came together and far exceeded that target. Over 2,000 items were collected, including 967 coats.
"When we saw how many coats and other items were coming in we were ecstatic, because we knew then that we had enough to meet the need for the rest of the winter," Salifou said.
Those in need are now able to visit the Mission and pick up winter wear items.
"People get so excited and we start getting phone calls as soon as we start the drive, of clients asking when are the coats coming in, we need to be able to get a coat. So it’s very exciting and now that they’re starting to be put out we’ll start to see people coming in just because they need a coat," Salifou said.
If you have a coat you would still like to donate you can drop it off at the Mission.
