Coats for Kids ‘Spring Cleaning’ event collecting coats during April

2026 marks 40th year of The Salvation Army’s Coats for Kids program

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Hoosiers are saying goodbye to winter and their winter coats. But those winter coats can help The Salvation Army of Central Indiana make sure children stay warm next winter through the Coats for Kids program, which is accepting coats during its Spring Clean Collection.

Anyone can drop off a new or gently used winter coat at any Classic Cleaners location throughout the month of April. Collection boxes have been placed at the front of each Classic Cleaners store to make donations quick and easy. These coats will be cleaned and stored for Coats for Kids distribution day in October.

Community members who do not have a coat to donate can still help make a difference in the community. A donation of $25 to the Coats for Kids program helps The Salvation Army of Central Indiana buy a brand-new coat for a child in need. Visit the secure online donation page here to support the program.

“Forty years of Coats for Kids shows how much the community has stood beside The Salvation Army, Classic Cleaners, and WTHR to help us ensure children are warm during the winter,” said Major Dan Sawka, General Secretary of The Salvation Army. “A winter coat may seem simple, but a child benefits greatly by getting a free coat, hat, gloves, and scarf from our program.”

To mark the great milestone of 40 years for the Coats for Kids program, Indianapolis mayor Joe Hogsett has proclaimed Oct. 17, 2026, as Coats For Kids Day. This proclamation honors the 40-year commitment The Salvation Army, WTHR, and Classic Cleaners has made to ensure children are warm through Indiana’s winters.

Over the 40 years of Coats for Kids, the program has distributed more than 120,000 coats to tens of thousands of families.