Kids Helping Kids Stay Warm - Kids Can Help Their Local Peers Stay Warm By Collecting Winter Clothing
Saint Charles, IL… The 26th annual Snug Hugs for Kids™ winter clothing drive begins Oct. 24 and concludes on Dec. 14. The Kids Helping Kids™ program (KHK) supports this clothing drive. Girl Scout, Boy Scout, school, church and youth groups are needed to collect new and like-new winter clothing for underprivileged children now until Dec. 13. Items should be sized to fit new-born to 18 year old children and can be donated at your local Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop. The collection protects more than 40,000 children served each year by Children’s Home + Aid, a leading provider of quality programs and services to families in need, from the snow and winds during winter.
Items most needed include the following for newborn to seven year old children
•coats, hats and scarves
•mittens, adult gloves and sweaters
•pants, boots and socks
KHK gives young groups the opportunity to make a difference in another child’s life. They can earn an embroidered patch by submitting a KHK registration and patch request form after completing the donation. Forms are available at www.merlins.com/snughugs.
“With the blustery months fast approaching, many families will need a little extra help to provide their children the necessary winter clothing to allow them to attend school or play outside. A donation of clothing helps warm both the hands and hearts of the local recipient,” said Merlin 200,000 Miles Director of Marketing Penny McDowell.
In the past, groups have conducted school or neighborhood clothing drives or purchased new clothing with fundraised money and refurbished or embellished the clothing. For example, adding bows, sequins or buttons to inexpensive stretchy gloves makes a fun project.
Kids Helping Kids™ is part of the Snug Hugs for Kids™ winter clothing drive, which has benefitted Merlin’s charity partner, Children’s Home + Aid for 26 years. On Dec. 14, Merlin franchisees, employees and corporate staff will deliver the donations to Children’s Home + Aid who will distribute items to families who will benefit the most.
Children’s Home + Aid is a leading child and family service agency in Illinois. The organization helps children recover their health, their hope, and their faith in the people around them. We link children to a network of opportunity and care, to extended family, teachers, mentors, and the resources of the neighborhood and community. For more than 130 years, the organization has gone wherever children and families need them, and where that work has been proven to be most effective: at home, in the classroom, in the neighborhood, in the course of daily life. The organization has offices located across Illinois and serves more than 40,000 children and families in over 60 counties each year. For more information about Children’s Home + Aid, visit http://childrenshomeandaid.org/.
Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops offer a neighborhood approach to automotive service and provides both repair and maintenance services as well as tire replacement and tire services. Merlin’s DRIVE FOR 200,000, the industry’s most comprehensive and affordable maintenance program, supports vehicle owners thousands of miles beyond the usual manufacturer’s maintenance requirements and has positioned Merlin as the leader in vehicle longevity. Founded in 1975, Merlin is headquartered in St. Charles, Illinois. In February 2014, Driven Brands acquired Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops. For more information, please visit http://www.merlins.com/.