Appalachian winters are notorious for their relentless and freezing temperatures, whipping winds and snowstorms. Many children are forced to endure this time of year with nothing more than a thin and tattered jacket, subjected to the brutal elements. Americans Helping Americans® seeks to meet the needs of the families of Appalachia that cannot afford to purchase coats for their families through our Coats for the Cold program.

One of the organizations partnering with Americans Helping Americans®, Appalachian Outreach, hosted the “Coats for the Cold” event in Jefferson County, Tennessee. It’s a joyous time when children and families have the opportunity to prepare for the coming winter months by receiving warm winter coats, mittens, scarves and blankets.

The children and families waited in line for hours before the event took place, eager to receive their brand new coats. Some of the children could hardly contain themselves, giddy with the thought of playing in the snow, bundled up in warm coats. This winter, Americans Helping Americans® had the opportunity to work with Charming Shoppes, a family of retail apparel companies, to provide Appalachian Outreach with 500 children’s coats, hats and scarves for the event.