Consider one of these fun options to help get your small group, neighbors, workplace and community involved in helping us provide coats to the kids of Chicagoland this Christmas.
Throw a Coat Party
Do you have a holiday party every year for friends, neighbors or small group? Instead of having people bring a dessert this year, consider asking them to bring a coat. Collect them in a large box and put one person in charge of dropping them off at church on the designated weekend. Be sure to let your guests know how many coats you end up collecting at the end of the party!
Group-Shop for Coats
In these economic times, it may be a stretch for some people to purchase a coat on their own. Consider having a “Group-Shop” Party. Each person brings as much cash as they wish to donate ($1 on up!) and places it anonymously in an envelope, box or can. Once everyone arrives, count up the cash and divide it up among groups of people. Send them out in teams to buy as many coats as they can with their allotment of cash. You may want to assign each team an age/gender of a child so they can shop specifically for that child. It might even be fun to make this a contest or a race if you are so inclined!
Kids for Kids Coats
Include the whole family when buying coats by encouraging younger children to do chores or sell toys (E-bay is a great option!) to contribute towards buying a new coat. Keep a large jar on the kitchen table and let everyone throw in their contributions until there is enough money for a coat. Children can also help scour the ads for good deals on coats – involve them in helping to pick out the coats as well – especially if the coat is for a kid their same age and gender!
Working for Coats
Talk to your coworkers or HR department about how they can help contribute coats to the cause. Perhaps you can put out a donation box in the break room or put up a flyer. What a great first step in opening the door to faith conversations at work.
Reverse Garage Sale
Open up your garage and hold a reverse garage sale. Encourage neighbors to bring new coats. Break out the fire pit and make it a fun festive occasion with hot apple cider and roasted marshmallows. What a great way to connect with neighbors over the long winter months. (One couple put up some signs in the neighborhood and had dozens of people they never met come and drop off new coats – you may be surprised at who wants to participate!)
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