Burlington Stores sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.
Gosh, there are so many reasons I donate coats. I have a hard time thinking there are cold children out there. Growing up my siblings and I didn’t have many material belongings, and my parents didn’t have a lot of money, but we always had the things we needed because of wonderful programs like Burlington’s “Warm Coats and Warm Hearts” coat drive. The way I grew up was truly a blessing because I’m able to take what I have learned and use it to teach my children reasons giving back by doing things like heading to Burlington to donate coats is so important.
I could go on with a huge list of reasons I donate coats, but I am going to tell you about a few reasons that are extremely personal to me.
5 Reasons I Donate Coats
My parents struggled, but always provided
Gosh, my poor parents did everything they could for all three of us, which at times there was four and five of us. My best friend and my brothers best friend growing up had parents, who were too caught up in drugs to care about school clothing for their daughter. Somehow, my parents managed to not only purchase school clothing for us, but for her too. They were never the best, or brand new, but they worked and we went to school every single year looking like everyone else did. Most importantly, they taught us the importance of sharing, giving, loving and caring about others… However, coats were another story.
We received donated coats
Let’s face it, good, warm coats are not cheap and where I grew up it was cold, a light hoodie didn’t work. There were a few years we actually received donated coats, which were in amazing shape, fit our personalities, and sent us to school looking and feeling great.
We shared our donated coats
My best friend growing up was a size smaller than me so it worked out perfectly… When I was finished with my coats I could give them to her. Since we grew so fast our coats were never trashed and always helped keep kids warm.
Receiving donated coats taught me about life, the person I want to be, and teaching my children the importance of giving back.
Growing up I hated that we had to shop at thrift stores and get donated coats, but today I would not go back and change a thing, because it’s made me a giving person. We’re not rich by any means, but because of the way my brother, sister and I grew up we are all extremely giving people. We truly enjoy helping others in need because we remember being in that place and know it’s possible we could be there again. a
We also make it a point to not only donate, but teach our children the importance of donating and helping those in need. We have talked to our kids about how people end up in a position of needing help and they know many people have just hit a rough patch in life and need a little help to pick up and move on. We also make sure our children understand it’s not something that we are immune from. They know a strike of bad luck could happen and we could be in a position where we needed help. They also know they and everyone else shouldn’t be ashamed to admit they need help. Everyone needs help now and again, and as long as you’re not taking advantage there is nothing wrong with needing it, asking for it, or receiving it. They understand that they can make a difference in the world by being kind.
MOST importantly we’re helping keep kids warm. No child should be cold.
I don’t think any child out there should be cold! If I can help keep another child warm the way my parents did, you be I’m going to do everything I can to see that child has a jacket for the cold months!
The reason I have experienced the true gift of giving is the way I was raised. It has made things that I was embarrassed of when I was younger something I am proud of now, because it’s made me a better, more giving person and I’m proud of that.
My kids received $50 for Christmas and there is a man who plays the guitar in front of our favorite supermarket. The girls and I love to stop and listen to him.. We recently learned that the reason he is sitting in front of the supermarket playing the guitar is because he needs a kidney.. He isn’t begging, or feeling sorry for himself. He is doing what he can to live, and in return blessing our ears with Christmas tunes, and he even remembers which songs my girls like him to play. He’s a wonderful man, and when I shared his need for a kidney with my kids, who don’t fully understand what that means they both begged me to take them so they could give him their Christmas money….
That’s why I give coats and donate as much as I can. My kids see me living it not just preaching it and it’s not only making me a better person, but my kids are compassionate, and selfless. In today’s world, we need more people like that and I’m proud of my girls for giving their money to someone who needed it more. They might not fully understand why he needs a kidney or what they is, but they fully understand that he needed that money more than them, and have experienced the gift of giving which put smiles on their face and filled their hearts.
During the holiday season my family puts a lot of effort into helping those in need, whether it’s a jacket, money, food or lending an ear… I grew up with a family who was in need of certain material belongings, but with hearts of gold. Parents who would have and did give up so much to see us have things we needed and wanted. I don’t feel like I missed out on anything as a child. I truly feel like it was a gift, because we can make a difference by helping others. We are all blessed with a place to help one another. We might not need a jacket, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need friends, an ear from time to time or a smile from someone in the store. Being kind pays off in so many ways…
You can give coats the next time you visit your local Burlington Stores. They’re a leading national off-price retailer who is offering styles for less with a huge savings – up to 65% off department store prices.
Burlington takes part in their “Warm Coats and Warm Hearts” coat drive, and they want you to donate your gently worn coats to help those in your local area who are in need of a coat. In return for your selfless act, you’ll receive a 10% discount, which is nice of them because donating a coat is such a rewarding feeling all in itself.
Donate a gently-worn coat at your nearby Burlington to help those locally in need. And when you do, receive Burlington’s thanks – 10% off your entire purchase.
Burlington continues to help local communities stay warm with their annual Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Coat Drive. The donated coats will stay in your within each store’s community and will be giving to those who are in the most need. With each coat you donate you will receive a 10% savings off your Burlington’s purchase. It’s a small way they are saying thank you for reaching out to help those in need in your community. Be sure to head over to the Coat Drive page to learn more and where you can donate by 1/19/2015.
If you don’t know where you’re closest Burlington is be sure to use their handy-dandy
Donate a gently-worn coat at your nearby Burlington to help those locally in need. And when you do, receive Burlington’s thanks – 10% off your entire purchase.
Burlington, a national off-price retailer offering style for less with up to 65 percent off department store prices every day, continues to help local communities stay warm with their annual Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Coat Drive. Donated coats stay locally within each store community and are given to those most in need. With each coat donation, customers receive 10% off their entire purchase as Burlington’s thank you. A great way to give back and save money at the same time! Visit the Coat Drive site to learn more and where you can donate by 1/19/2015.
Burlington Stores sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.
