Operation Warm Hands Out Thousands Of Winter Coats At Annual Give-Away
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A big crowd showed up on a cold morning to get warm winter coats in the Chicago Housing Authority's Eighth Annual Coat Give-Away, reports WBBM's Mike Krauser.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel was on hand for the CHA's annual coat give-away where thousands lined up in the morning chill at the UIC Forum.
"Operation Warm will provide a winter coat to a child for the two millionth time," said Operation Warm executive director Rich Lalley.
When the doors opened, the line covered more than two city blocks.
"This is our biggest program of the year anywhere in the country, 10,000 coats in one day,"Lalley said. "Throughout the year, 330,000 kids will get one of our brand new coats this year in 47 states."
They weren't just giving away coats; there were flu shots, free groceries and free books as well as social service agencies offering assistance.
Any leftover coats are going to Catholic Charities.