HUNDREDS OF BRAND NEW COATS GIVEN OUT TO KIDS DURING ANNUAL EVENT
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MILLVILLE--It may be considered the poorest county in the entire state, but the spirit of giving is rich in Cumberland County. An annual event gives hundreds of local kids some help staying warm this winter.

"How bout two shades of blue?" It was a day of trial and error, "Do you like that one?" to make sure the perfect fit was found at the New Jersey Motorsports Park in Millville during the 4th annual "Coats For Kids" event.

Nearly 550 kids from 19 Cumberland County schools scouted out, tried on, and eventually found a brand new winter coat. "It was beautiful and it matched my scarf.," said Al'Tima Webb of Bridgeton, showing off her new red jacket.

All of the coats were donated by residents or local businesses or purchased through financial donations. The kids say they're all thrilled with all the great choices. "I think they're very nice," said Webb, looking around.

"These children are children of need," said Donald Fauerbach, with the Park, "and they're so gracious and so thankful."

"In our district, a lot of our students, they come to school on a cold day with a sweatshirt," explained Elaine Jackson, a guidance counselor at Bridgeton's Buckshutem School, about the need. But this event, held by the Green Flag Children's Charities, aims to change that.

"I just gotta pick out a coat that I can be warm in for the winter," said 5th grader, Keyshaun Stil, "it's really a gift to me. I just wanna thank God for it."

"It makes them feel special because they have ownership," explained Jackson, "they get to choose, they get to try it on, so it's fun for them, too." But, it's hard to tell who's having more fun, the kids or the more than 70 volunteer "elves", who help each child pick the perfect coat.

"I've been doing it ever since they started," said Tracey Lindeman, who takes off every year to volunteer, "I love it. Every year, it gets more and more fun each time." Proving that it truly is better to give than to receive, and certainly, more rewarding.

This was the largest "Coats For Kids" event since it started. Nearly two-dozen more kids were helped this year than last.