Coats for Kids 2014 Partners with GiveBack360!

The Coats for Kids Program is a great program that was started by Supreme in 2009. So many families with young children continue to struggle in these challenging economic times and there has never been a better time for Knights of Columbus councils to help by providing warm winter coats to children in their communities through the Order’s Coats for Kids program.

This year we have partnered with GiveBack360, a tremendous new technology partner which automates the entire program and turns the program into an online, viral, social media campaign! This fundraising system instantly creates an online community of giving. To participate, your council only needs to request adding your council to the list of participating Coats for Kids organizations.

Send your council number request to contactus@giveback360.com. GiveBack360 will set up your council account and send you the links and instructions to begin sharing the Coats for Kids program via email, social media, flyers or in your weekly bulletin. The links not only collect the funds but also track the sales to your council for coat fulfillment and distribution. The account is free and future fundraising opportunities are built-in.

To see how a custom posting for council 6031 appears on GiveBack360 click here:

https://www.giveback360.com/offers/details/code/DL14909C21ED/reference/1342/nfp/GR01B17D70/

WHY YOUR COUNCIL SHOULD PARTICIPATE
Distributing coats to needy children not only fills a vital need in the community, it is also an excellent way to build camaraderie among members and prospects. Seeing the joy that getting a new winter coat brings to a child will help prospects to see the Knights of Columbus as an organization they want to be part of. Last year 1,195 councils and Supreme purchased and donated 51,294 coats to children who were cold and had no coats. That is 200 more councils than the year before and 10,000 more coats than last year. Let’s make this year another record year for this wonderful program!

HOW TO CONDUCT YOUR COATS FOR KIDS CAMPAIGN IN 2014
 As a chapter identify and target 4 weeks for all councils to put on a drive.

 Make Coats for Kids a project for the entire parish community.

 Register your council with GiveBack360 by sending your council number to contactus@giveback360.com.

 An online account and instructions on using this automated program along with your organizations custom links will be sent to you.

 Conduct a Sunday Coat Drive at your parish.

 Set up a sample coat and have Knights in front of church ask for donations.

 All online purchases using GiveBack360 will be tracked and processed automatically for your council. Purchase of additional coats from cash donations will require the form on www.kofc.org/coats.

 Assess the, need in the community. Pastors and Catholic school principals can be excellent resources in identifying children who would benefit from this program.

 Schedule a distribution date, time and location. Parish halls, Catholic school gyms or council homes all make good distribution sites. Invite the entire parish to participate.

 Publicize the distribution among the recipients. Also, advise local media.

 Host a “Thank You” or “Open House” reception for all volunteers who gave of their time and talent. Let all – especially non-members – know how much their efforts are appreciated. Let prospects know that they are welcome and needed in your council…then ask them to join.

PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
 Name:John Ramirez

 Email:fast_ram@yahoo.com

 Phone 1:858-367-0315