Watertown Donation Drive Seeks Winter Coats for Kids and Families

A longstanding New England coat drive is aiming once again to give winter coats to those in need.

The Caring Partners' Coats for Kids & Families initiative is a longstanding New England coat drive, running since 1995, that has collectively collected, cleaned, and distributed more than 1.27 million coats to people in need across more than 70 locations.

A Watertown News report noted that, due to the economic downturn this year, 50,000 warm coats are needed to help adults and children who may not be able to afford winter coats.

Watertown Middle School is pitching in to help collect winter coats for kids and families through Jan. 10, 2026, to support Caring Partners' Coats for Kids & Families initiative.

The drive is sponsored by Anton's Cleaners, Jordan's Furniture, and Rockland Trust, with partners helping fund collection sites, cleaning, and coat distribution. Coats are being gathered at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverly Ave., and other local collection sites. Anton's Cleaners professionally cleans every coat before distributing them to local nonprofits, social service agencies, and schools.

Coats for Kids & Families accepts warm winter coats that are new or gently used, of good quality, and in all sizes (especially extra-large, infant, and pre-K). The drive does not accept coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains, nor does the drive accept sweatshirts, vests, spring coats, boots, scarves, or gloves.

“Our company is very proud to give back to the community through our Caring Partners charity. For more than three decades, we have been steadfast and focused on one simple but important mission: Anyone who needs a coat will have one,” said Arthur Anton Jr., COO of Anton's Cleaners and founder of the program. “Companies, schools, nonprofits, and clubs work hard every year to help us collect, clean, and distribute 50,000 winter coats to anyone who needs one.”