Kids In Need To Get Free Coats At Bucks Co. YMCAs

FAIRLESS HILLS, PA — Bucks County kids who need a winter coat this year will be able to get one for free at upcoming events at local YMCAs.

The Auto Dealers Caring for Kids Foundation will be distributing new winter coats during its 12th annual Driving Away the Cold program. In Bucks County, the group plans to give away about 6,300 coats to kids who need them.

In all, the effort, which involves 170 local auto dealers — including 41 in Bucks Count-9. y — plans to give away 52,700 coats throughout the Philadelphia region.

The giveaways will be held at the following YMCA locations:

• Friday, Oct. 25. Doylestown Branch, 2500 Lower State Rd., Doylestown 4:30-7 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 26. Warminster Branch, 624 Old York Rd., Warminster. 1:30-4 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 27. Warminster Heights Community Center, 75 Downey Dr., Warminster. 1-4 p.m.
• Nov. 7-9. Quakertown Branch. 401 Fairview Ave., Quakertown. 4-7 p.m., 4-7 p.m., 10 a.m-noon.

With this year's contributions, the Driving Away the Cold program has given away 419,700 coats since 2008. According to the group, one in six children in the Greater Philadelphia region lives in poverty and a warm winter coat is often an essential item they go without.

The auto dealers hold annual pledge programs to help buy coats and the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia donates $2 from every ticket sold to the Philadelphia Auto Show. The coats then are distributed via 220 social services agencies, school districts, churches, shelters and other groups.

For more information or to donate to the program, you may visit the More Than Auto Dealers website.