ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Earlier on Friday night, WFMZ and the Lehigh Valley Phantoms wrapped up our 11th annual coat drive at the PPL Center in Allentown.

Donations began flowing in even before the fans arrived. 

Bill King of Nazareth unloaded four giant bags at the corner of South 7th and Hamilton, and as he did it, he thought about saying goodbye to generations of family memories.

“What’s in them?” asked 69 News reporter Rick Holmes. 

“All sorts of coats. Anything you can imagine. Kid’s, my wife’s, mine, a lot of warm coats. Hopefully they help out a lot of people,” said King. 

The King family’s donation, one of hundreds that will help other Lehigh Valley families this winter. Donations poured in relentlessly, like the Phantoms on a power play, as their fans stepped up, BIG.

“It’s such an impactful day. We count on our fans, we count on this community, to help support people in need. And partners like the Salvation Army and WFMZ make it possible every single year,” said Jacob Long of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. 

Of course, WFMZ-TV plays a role too.

Our Community Care team, led by anchor Melanie Falcon and Traffic Reporter Jen Dilliard, ensure that everyone at the station in front of the camera, and behind it, can contribute.

“We just have great employees and they’re always looking for ways to give back to the community, and I really couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people. They all have good hearts,” said Barry Fisher, WFMZ-TV President and General Manager. 

The coats will be distributed by the Salvation Army at their Allentown Headquarters on December 3rd.

“I just it hope it helps people out. At this point in time, everybody needs help.”