Cradles to Crayons Chicago (C2C) launches its annual “Gear Up for Winter” initiative to provide Chicagoland children with 50,000 winter coats, free-of-charge. As the only national organization addressing Children’s Clothing Insecurity on a large scale, C2C seeks donations of new and like-new winter coats to provide to its network of over 70+ service partners who directly provide essential social and health services to families. Through February 2023, C2C will collect coat donations (size newborn to adult medium) and other donations at the North Center Giving Factory and 30+ participating Chicagoland locations (listed below) and distribute them directly to partners. Coats can also be purchased through C2C’s Amazon winter wish list, and monetary donations can be received online at cradlestocrayons.org/chicago/gear-up-for-winter-2022/. Participating drop-off sites include:

Bridgeport: McGuane Park (2901 S Poplar Ave, Chicago, IL 60608)

Bucktown: Windy City Fieldhouse (2367 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647)

Irving Park: Children’s Lighthouse of North Center Chicago (2600 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618)

Irving Park: Irving Park YMCA (4251 W Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60641)

Irving Park: Ultimate Ninjas Chicago (2915 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60618)

Little Village: Rauner YMCA (2700 S Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60608)

Logan Square: Moonwalker Café (4101 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60641)

Logan Square: McCormick YMCA (1834 N Lawndale Ave. Chicago, IL 60647)