OKCPS Foundation heating up fundraising efforts for Coat-A-Kid program

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Despite it being the dog days of summer, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation is heating up their fundraising efforts and looking forward to the cold months as they prepare to give as many kids in their district a new coat as possible.

The end goal of the Coat-A-Kid project is to fit thousands of kids in need for a coat by the time they leave for fall break.

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“Coats are one of the biggest needs, and it sounds very simple, but it is a big factor to improving attendance as well,” the foundations senior director for programs and community outreach Abbie Vaughan said.

Vaughan said the summer months are when they ramp up fundraising to reach their goal by the time it cools off. With 63 schools in the district, they want to hit $130,000, which will get them 6,500 coats.

“We have a relationship with Amazon and we are able to purchase coats for a really, really good price,” Vaughan said.

It’s a simple need that Vaughan said most kids would otherwise go without as the poverty rate in the district recently rose.

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“The poverty rate has grown to 92% from recently 90% and this is due to a variety of factors,” Vaughan said. “If we can get a coat on their back, they’re able to get to school warm and healthy and ready to learn.”

If you want to help out or donate, you can visit this link, or you can send a check to the foundation as well. As soon as they raise the funds, Vaughan said they will be giving coats out to kids.

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