The Kiwanis Club of Aurora is proudly living its mission to “Serve the Children of the World,” helping local kids stay warm this winter through its leadership of the citywide “Coats for Kids” initiative. Partnering with the City of Aurora, Cities In Schools Aurora, and local businesses, the Kiwanis Club of Aurora has proudly taken the lead in funding this year’s “Coats for Kids” initiative, delivering nearly 1,700 coats to children in need across Aurora and Oswego.
This year’s distribution, which took place on October 24, benefited students from preschool through high school in school districts #129 (West Aurora), #131 (East Aurora), and #308 (Oswego). Based on thoughtful need assessments by school social workers, coats were delivered to 37 schools, ensuring children across the community will stay warm this winter. Now, the Kiwanis Club is seeking support from the community to help reimburse the $24,000 cost of these coats, so they can continue programs like this in the future.
The “Coats for Kids” program began with the vision of 7th Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns and 2nd Ward Alderman Juany Garza. In 2010, Kiwanis Club of Aurora President Archie Needam helped expand the program into a citywide effort. Today, 4th Ward Alderman and Kiwanian Bill Donnell chairs the “Coats for Kids” committee, continuing to drive this meaningful initiative forward.
Kiwanis Club of Aurora President Daniel Ahern reflected on the program’s impact:
“Kiwanis is proud to uphold our mission by partnering with the ‘Coats for Kids’ program. Through this collaboration, we’ve been able to purchase, sort, and deliver warm winter coats to children who need them most. It’s inspiring to see the community come together — residents, businesses, and schools aliketo make such a difference in the lives of our young people.”
This year’s success was made possible through the generosity of donors and in-kind contributions from community partners like the Salvation Army and Tony Ibraimi, owner of Bargain Basement. “It’s heartwarming to know that Kiwanis can play a role in ensuring children across Aurora stay warm during the cold winter months,” Ibraimi added.
If you’d like to support the “Coats for Kids” program, cash donations are gratefully accepted. Checks may be made payable to the Aurora Illinois Kiwanis Foundation and sent to: Kiwanis Club of Aurora, P.O. Box 1551, Aurora, IL 60507.
Together, we can continue to make a difference in our community and in the lives of its children.
— Kiwanis Club of Aurora