The kindergarten class from St. Gabriel’s school at 29th and Dickinson in South Philadelphia model their brand new winter coats courtesy of David Kelleher, owner of David Chrysler/Jeep in the Philadelphia Airport Automall and the Driving Away the Cold program sponsored by. Automobile Dealers Association.
Driving Away the Cold is a signature program in cooperation with Operation Warm. According to the National Center for Children in Poverty, 17% of children in Pennsylvania live in poor families. This percentage equates to over 2.7 million children in just our state. For these families, with an annual income of less than $21,200, purchasing a winter coat for its children may be an insurmountable task.
On behalf of all of its dealer members, the Auto Dealers CARing for Kids Foundation hopes to make a dent in these overwhelming numbers with its contribution of NEW winter coats for children in the pre-school through elementary school age-range. With the help of Operation Warm and various social service agencies, these coats will be distributed throughout the five-county Philadelphia area to families in need during the fall months of 2008.
At David, we are doing our part to keep kids warm this winter by donating 68 coats to Greys Ferry Community Council. Children from St. Gabriel’s in Philadelphia will pick up their coats on Thursday Nov. 20 at 10 am. Check back here for more info and photos of this event. The gift of a new winter coat builds a child’s self-confidence and improves self esteem. Driving Away the Cold will help 10,000 kids arrive to school warm, on-time and ready to learn this winter.
