Washington, D.C. – (Monday, October, 10 2022) – The DMV has one of the highest poverty rates in the country.  On average, nearly one quarter of children in the region lives in families struggling to make ends meet.  That makes purchasing items like new coats, hats, and gloves each year challenging for some parents and guardians.

That’s why for the past two decades 96.3 WHUR has hosted a Children’s Coat Drive.  On Saturday, October 8th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., dozens of WHUR listeners responded to the call and challenge to help youth in need by dropping off new winter gear at the Shops at Iverson. 

This year marked the 20th Annual WHUR Children’s Coat Drive.  Veteran radio personality Coka Lani took her #1 rated show on the road to urge listeners to help shelter needy youth in the DMV from the cold this winter.  The response was overwhelming.  Powered by FedEx, the 20th Annual WHUR Children’s Coat Drive collected over 450 new coats, hats, and gloves.  Special thanks to the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. for supporting the drive.

All donations from the Coat Drive were distributed to the following non-profit organizations:  Bright Beginnings, Mission of Love Charities, Jolly Dream Foundation, and Thrive DC.  “We know that times are still tough for a lot of families in the DMV and that’s why WHUR seeks to do its part to make life a little easier for those in need.  These new coats, hats, and gloves are one less thing needy families will have to worry about this year,” said WHUR General Manager Sean Plater.

The coat drive kicks-off  “WHUR’s Annual Season of Giving Campaign,” which also includes “Food2Feed,” a 12-hour radiothon Tuesday, November 15^th; “The Steve Harvey Turkey Giveaway” Monday, November 28^th; and the “WHUR Toy Drive” Saturday, December 10^th.