Protecting warmth & dignity

Hamilton County Kids Coats appoints executive director

Submitted

For two decades, Hamilton County Kids Coats has been a quiet constant: neighbors showing up for neighbors, making sure that when winter settles in, children don’t have to face it alone. What started as a simple act of care has grown into something the community counts on.

Now, that work is entering a new chapter.

Malin

To reach more families and strengthen its impact for the years ahead, Kids Coats has named MaryEdith Malin as Executive Director.

Since its founding, the organization has operated as a true grassroots effort, powered by volunteers, supported by schools, and sustained through partnerships with churches and local organizations. This step is not about changing that foundation, but about protecting it and building on it, so no child is overlooked as the need continues to grow.

Malin brings a lifelong commitment to service and years working alongside schools, nonprofits, and community partners. In those roles, she has seen how the smallest gaps can carry the biggest weight for families and how meeting a basic need can change the course of a child’s day.

“A coat is more than something you wear,” Malin said. “It’s what lets a child walk into school feeling comfortable, confident, and like they belong. That matters more than we sometimes realize. My heart has always been in mission-driven work because I believe good causes deserve strong, thoughtful systems behind them. When we build those well, we can reach more families and do it in a way that lasts.”

While she leads Kids Coats, Malin is also completing her Executive Master of Nonprofit Administration at the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business, with a focus on strengthening organizational strategy and scaling community impact.

“This organization has always been about people taking care of each other,” Board President Rosanne Burge said. “MaryEdith is someone who can honor where we’ve been while helping us grow in a way that still feels personal and connected.”

In this next phase, Malin will focus on strengthening the network that makes the work possible. Through relationships with schools, community partners, and local foundations, infrastructure will be built that ensures families can count on Kids Coats year after year.

About Kids Coats of Hamilton County
Kids Coats of Hamilton County, a 501(c)(3), is built on a simple belief: no child should face an Indiana winter without a coat. Through a strong network of volunteers, schools, foundations, and community partners, the organization provides thousands of coats each year, offering not just warmth, but a sense of care and dignity to families across the county. To join the mission, donate a coat, or volunteer, visit KidsCoats.org or email info@kidscoats.org.