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History

"The Wrap-A-Friend coat drive was started because of a casual comment a friend made to me on a cold day
in the fall of 2002. We were standing outside the church talking together when I commented that we were a lot
alike because we were both wearing just a sweatshirt and she also had on a thin plastic jacket. I wear only a
sweatshirt through out most of the winter because I’m not cold very often.

She gave me a look like you give a child who just doesn’t get it. “You know” she said, “not everyone who
wears a sweatshirt in the winter wears it because they’re warm, it’s because we can’t afford a coat. That left me
speechless. “Some of us need food or medication and rent money and there’s no money left to get a heavy
winter coat,” she continued. That casual comment started me looking at what I hadn’t seen before. That was
five years ago. We immediately formed a committee and hatched a plan to obtain and distribute winter
coats. You have to see the problem before you are able to do anything about it."
- Rene Anctil, Co-Founder of the Wrap-A-Friend Coat Drive

The Wrap-A-Friend Coat Drive was founded by Rene and Marie Anctil in 2002. After collecting coats from
friends, family and members of Emanuel, they held their first free coat distribution in the Fall of that year.
This coming coat collection is from May 14-18th (See the Home page for collection places). This upcoming
free coat distribution will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2009. It will be the 6th Annual Coat Drive. Wrap-A-
Friend has grown from giving out 750 coats the first year, to over 6,000 this year for a total of over 21,000
coats.

Their efforts have kept and continue to keep thousands of people warm each winter.

The Fourth Annual Coat Drive
Fall 2005

2005 was a banner year for the Wrap A Friend Coat Drive. As in past years, we were able to give away
thousands of coats, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves and miscellaneous clothing. It was also a year of
growth in several different aspects of the drive. In this report, we will describe not only the details of the
drive but also the changes that have occurred since its inception 4 years ago. The following information is
broken into several categories for ease in reading.

Collection Drive

Throughout the year coats, clothing and accessories continue to be brought in and dropped off at
the church-by-church members and members of the community.
The major drive in May involved numerous churches, schools, companies and individuals.
Because of year-round donations, we were able to distribute over a hundred bags of clothing
mainly to West Warwick Senior Center throughout the year.

Purchases

Thanks to the Leona S.'s Memorial Fund we were able to purchase over 20 extra-extra large coats
for men & women and have them available on the distribution day.
We were also able to take names & phone numbers of those who were not able to find what they
needed and later purchase coats and have them picked up.
The fund had over $2000 at the start and still has monies left over for next year.

Advertising

We were able to increase the number of ways we were able to let the community know about the
coat distribution in November.
This year we tried something new: We did a direct mailing to dozens of agencies, schools and
daycare centers.
Cardi’s advertised the drive in their Sunday supplement
TV: Both channel 10 and UPN made announcements for several days before the drive (Thank you
Glen L.)
RADIO: As in past years, radio stations (Lite 105, 93.3) came through with announcements.
NEWSPAPERS: The Providence Journal, The Warwick Beacon and several local publications wrote
stories and published announcements.
CHURCH: Announcement on the sign outside the church and posters held by our Youth Group the
day of the drive directed many individuals to the church.

Agency Response

The response from large agencies was increased dramatically this year.
The Kent Center, Providence Center, Child Inc. Crossroads, Welcome Arnold Center and a group
home for HIV patients were some of the agencies that responded to the direct mailing.

Volunteers

The largest group of volunteers – once again – came from the congregation. There was an
increase, not only during the distribution itself but also throughout the year during the collection,
sorting, organization and coordinating of activities. So many adults volunteered in different ways
such as those that knitted hats and gloves, those that helped set up and break down the fixtures,
She who secured the food (Thank you Laurie), those that kept the kids motivated and he who took
the pictures (Thank you Hank)
The Youth Groups in particular were commented upon because of the work they did outside getting
people to the church and occupying children with games and activities while their parents shopped.
Met Life volunteers were in abundance again this year. (Thank you Kathy M & Carol J for continuing
to encourage this at their workplace.)

Summary
This year was an extraordinary success because of the efforts of a variety of people. Over 4000 Rhode
Islanders are warmer this year as a direct result of these efforts. We would like to thank everyone for their
support and energies in making this happen. Once again, recipients constantly remarked on how warmly
and lovingly they were welcomed and treated.

See the 2005 flier here

The Third Annual Coat Drive
Fall 2004

First year we held a distribution of the coats at the church.
First year that Radios & Newspapers announced and wrote articles about the drive
Chair of the coat drive was asked to speak at groups and state agencies about the success of the
drive.
12 churches of all denominations and over a dozen companies and schools donated clothes for
the drive.
Lowe’s donated the materials needed to build the fixtures for the coat drive and the
Many business that donated food (Pizza, donuts, coffee, pastries) for the distribution day
Several women knitted hats, mittens and scarf’s.
The best measure of our success came from the Director of the RI donation exchange program
when he said to us “you proved what I have been saying to my Board of Directors, that it is more
important how we give away our donations then how many things we give away. So many people
told me ow great their experience was at your coat drive that I realized we have to change the way
we assist people.”

The Second Annual Coat Drive
Fall 2003

Last year we distributed 1200 winter coats and 400 pieces of infant ware, bags of hats, sneakers,
and children gloves and mittens. Despite the success and accomplishments of last years coat
drive many people especially in the local community those needs were not met and to that end our
effort at the beginning of this years drive was to increase the number of participating churches and
school systems. Last year three churches participated and one school system, this year eight
churches and Met Life Services participated attached is list of participating churches. Last year we
had to request more coats three times to reach the 1200 coats, this year after one drive we are at
1600 coats with three school systems ready to donate coats, so we should exceed the goal of 2003
coats.

Distribution this year was concentrated in the Kent County area with West Warwick Senior Center,
and Westbay Community Action Inc., receiving the bulk of our coats.
We gave to small agencies that do not receive adequate assistance such as South County Safe
Home, R.I. Coalition on Violence, Warwick House of Hope, and Amos House.
Donated 50 winter coats and 20 back packs the children of inmates at the ACI that were given to us
by one of the school systems.

The First Annual Coat Drive
Fall 2002

Drive began when one member of the church was without a coat and commented to Rene about
that need.
When we began the Wrap-A-Friend coat drive, we knew that the demand for winter coats far
exceeded what was available to most agencies that worked with people of need.
We used the first year as a test to help us understand where the needs are the greatest, and to
help us understand where our efforts can be best served, upon review of our efforts we have come
to these conclusions.
We brought the coats to the agencies – did not have a distribution at the church
The agencies south of the city of Cranston receive far less assistance then those agencies in
Providence, or the northern portion of the state. The city of Providence has the higher number of
homeless, but the Kent County area residents has the greater number of family and individuals
whose needs are unmet
1200 coats distributed, and 400 pieces of infant ware, bags of hats, sneakers, and children gloves
and mittens.
The Coats donated assisted men, women, boys, girls, seniors, and infants.
Three churches participated with us in the 1st coat drive
Agencies benefiting from the first year: Travelers Aid, Buy Nothing Day Coat Exchange, R.I.
Coalition on Violence, Sojourner House, Warwick House of Hope, Warwick Shelter, Child Inc.
Warwick, Westbay Community Action Inc., Amos House, South County Safe Home, West Warwick
Senior Center.

Wrap-A-Friend Coat Drive

The Fifth Annual Coat Drive
Fall 2006

This year’s Wrap-A-Friend Coat Drive was extraordinary because of the once in a lifetime weather
conditions. The torrential rains, flooding, and closed roadways did not keep the people away. It did,
however, alter the way that we did the distribution. Although the flyers specified that the Giveaway was
scheduled from 9am to 3pm, our doors opened at 7:15am and closed at 5pm. Regardless, over 6000
coats were distributed. We have received much praise and many suggestions, which will be incorporated
into the distribution, if we decide to continue. This can only happen if we have volunteers committed in both
the Spring and the Fall.

We would like to thank everyone for their support and energy. We have received thank-you cards from
several agencies commenting on our efforts and compassion.

Volunteers

There were over two hundred volunteers between Friday and Saturday. The largest group of these
came from Emanuel Lutheran. We also had volunteers for Pilgrim Lutheran, MetLife, Boy Scout
Troop #31, Coventry High School, and friends.
Several hundred Community Service hours were awarded to our Youth volunteers.
We had people of all ages helping our visitors find coats.
We had volunteers driving our visitors to the Mall bus stops.
We had volunteers who helped people in and out of the Church in the rain

Last Updated: 10/20/09
501(c)3 application pending

With generous support from