ALLENTOWN, PA. – After a week of encouraging the Lehigh Valley to donate, Friday was the big collection day for the WFMZ-TV/Lehigh Valley Phantoms coat drive.
The community answered that call with donations pouring in across the region, with collection sites at the PPL Center, Shankweiler’s drive-in, and the Steel Ice Center.
Tonight we have the preliminary count, and 1,364 coats have been donated this year. This surpasses last year’s total by only one, but this total does not yet include the coats at Steel Ice and Shankweiler’s that still need to be picked up.
This has all been made possible by the community stepping up to help one another.
“It’s the time of year to give, and it got cold really fast, and I have a lot of coats that I don’t use, and I feel like they would be better in someone else’s hands,” said Michele Kurdes of Coplay.
Some younger members of the community wanted to be part of the effort too.
“I just saw it on TV, and my grandpa said we’re coming here to donate a jacket,” said Lyric King.
An effort now in its 12th year brought together volunteers, community partners, and people looking to help their neighbors.
“We donated last year, so we thought we’d come back and do it again,” said Bill Nine of Allentown. “That’s what it’s all about, especially this time of year, is to help everyone that can’t help themselves.”
Organizers say it’s that generosity that makes the annual drive so special.
“High energy, overwhelming. Like the fact that so many people help and want to contribute. It’s just, it’s enthusiasm,” said WFMZ News Director Eric Nazarenus.
The Lehigh Valley Phantoms have been part of the effort since the beginning.
“Seeing the fans coming in happy, donating, it’s truly special. Especially something to be thankful for before Thanksgiving,” said Greg Carey, corporate partnerships manager with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and PPL Center. “To see people giving at this time of year is always great.”
The Salvation Army says the coats will now be sorted and distributed to families.
“We have tons of families that have already signed up for distributing the coats,” said Capt. Maria Corraliza with the Salvation Army. “So each coat has already a person that is going to go to this Christmas season.”
All of the jackets are now at the Salvation Army Headquarters on North 7th St. They’ll be given out for free on Wednesday, December 2nd.
Copyright 2026 Maranatha Broadcasting Co., Inc.. All Rights Reserved.