Hillcrest Heights, Maryland (Saturday, October 10, 2026) – The DMV showed up in a big way for WHUR’s 24th Annual Children’s Coat Drive, with the generosity of loyal listeners, community organizations and local businesses resulting in nearly 600 coats collected to help keep children in need warm this winter.
Held Saturday at The Shops at Iverson in Hillcrest Heights, Maryland, the annual community outreach event brought together people from across the region who took time out of their weekend to make a difference in the lives of local youth. Even with unseasonably warm temperatures, the importance of preparing children for the cold months ahead was top of mind.
WHUR personality Coka-Lani encouraged listeners to pause their Saturday routines and give back by donating new coats, hats and gloves for children and teens in need. The response reflected the enduring spirit of generosity that has made the coat drive a WHUR tradition for more than two decades.
From individual donors to Greek-letter organizations, including Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and community-minded businesses such as Andrews Federal Credit Union, contributions poured in throughout the day, demonstrating the power of collective action when a community comes together for a common cause.
“WHUR’s Children’s Coat Drive is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” said WHUR General Manager Sean Plater. “For 24 years, our listeners and community partners have helped us make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families who need it most. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who donated, volunteered and helped make this year’s coat drive a success. Nearly 600 coats represent nearly 600 opportunities to help a child face the winter with greater warmth, comfort and dignity.”
The coats collected will be distributed equally among five organizations serving children, families and vulnerable populations throughout the region: Prince George’s County Family Justice Center, Mission of Love Charities, Good Projects, Inc., Voices for a Second Chance, and Woodland Springs Community. Through their work, these organizations will help extend the impact of the community’s generosity to those who need it most.
For WHUR, the annual coat drive is more than a collection effort. It is a longstanding commitment to service and to using the station’s reach and influence to address community needs. As winter approaches, the nearly 600 coats collected serve as a testament to the generosity of the DMV and the difference that can be made when people answer the call to help their neighbors.
WHUR extends its sincere thanks to every listener, donor, volunteer, community partner and business that helped make the 24th Annual Children’s Coat Drive a success. Together, the DMV community is helping ensure that children and families across the region are better prepared for the colder days ahead.
