CNN’s Laura Coates and Comfort Cases founder Rob Scheer collaborated to deliver 1,000 new and gently used winter coats to social service agencies across the Washington, D.C., area. The coats were promptly distributed to local foster youth, providing much-needed warmth and comfort as winter approaches.
The “Coats for a Cause” initiative, organized in honor of National Adoption Awareness Month, ran throughout November and concluded on National Adoption Day this past Saturday. November holds special significance for the foster care community, as it marks the highest number of adoptions each year.
“I am so overjoyed to have been able to partner with such an amazing organization like Comfort Cases to touch the lives of our young people in this way,” said CNN’s Laura Coates. “As a mother, I am so proud of the communities across this nation for coming together to wrap their arms around these incredible kids who need to know they are loved. I cannot wait for us to continue this tradition for years to come.”
The collected coats were presented to the following partner organizations for distribution to youth in foster care:
- National Center for Children and Families (Bethesda, MD)
- DC Child and Family Services Agency (Washington, DC)
- Fairfax County Department of Human Services (Fairfax, VA)
- Donation boxes were strategically placed throughout the DMV area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia), allowing community members to actively contribute to this meaningful initiative. Elevance Health and its affiliated health plans enhanced the effort’s success by matching donations, providing up to 300 additional coats, and significantly boosting the overall number of contributions.
“Elevance Health, through its affiliated health plans, has a long-standing commitment to supporting foster care communities nationwide in partnership with Comfort Cases, and we are thrilled to once again have the opportunity to make a life-changing impact in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia – this time through the ‘Coats for a Cause’ initiative,” said Adrian Jordan, President of Amerigroup D.C. “As the president of Elevance Health’s affiliated health plan in D.C., and as a D.C. native, I am particularly pleased that this effort is making a significant impact in my own hometown. Initiatives like this demonstrate our commitment to improving the lives of our most vulnerable residents, especially our local youth in foster care who deserve and need our support.”
“What amazing partners we had in this effort,” exclaimed Rob Scheer, founder of Comfort Cases. “Only through the generosity of the local community, our corporate partners, and of course, our good friend Laura Coates, are we able to provide for those who might otherwise go without. It truly warms my heart to see what we can accomplish when we unite our minds and spirits toward doing good.”
Although the coat drive officially wraps up this week, individuals and organizations can still make a difference. Online donations can be made by visiting www.comfortcases.org/lauracoates. Additionally, coats and other essential items can be dropped off in person at the Comfort Cases National Center, located at 9300 Gaither Road, Gaithersburg, MD.
For more information about Comfort Cases or to learn how to get involved, visit www.comfortcases.org or contact us via email at info@comfortcases.org.
