One dictionary describes the word nurture as providing the care and attention necessary for growth, helping someone or something to develop. On this Mothers Day, we honor all those whose nature it is to nurture. To those who reach out in kindness to nurture someone in need or to help a young person develop a giving spirit – or even to teach others how to find help when necessary – we extend our sincere wishes for a Mothers Day filled with warmth and recognition for all that you do.

Aloha from Los Angeles! King’s Hawaiian held a very special Lei Day celebration yesterday – and One Warm Coat President Jennifer Stockard was there! On this uniquely Hawaiian holiday, King’s Hawaiian CEO Mark Taira and his daughter Courtney presented significant donations to One Warm Coat and three other charities as part of Project Mahalo. Mr. Taira commented, “Our goal… was to thank these wonderful organizations and to raise awareness about the generous work they do every day…They truly exemplify the Hawaiian Way.” Today, we thank the Taira family and King’s Hawaiian for their generosity – and we thank YOU, our ohana (extended family) for your support during the project. Mahalo from the team at One Warm Coat!

Today is Earth Day, a national commemoration established in 1970 to build awareness of the need to care for the environment. The founders taught us a new set of “3 Rs” back then – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – to teach us how easy it is to make a difference for our planet. Today, we remind you that you can care for the Earth on the “global” level while making a very personal difference in your community.
By donating your extra warm coats, you…

- Reduce the clutter in your closet
- Reuse well-made articles of clothing
- Recycle the garments in a way that provides life-giving warmth to an individual in need

Although there may not be a One Warm Coat drive happening in your community at the moment, why not use Earth Day as an inspiration to go into the closet, find those extra coats and set them aside for future donation? Today is a perfect day to reduce, reuse, and recycle! Together, we can make a difference for our planet and for others close to home.

Project Mahalo is one way King’s Hawaiian is recognizing charitable organizations who exemplify “Sharing the Hawaiian Way.” We are very proud to have been chosen as a featured organization! Now through April 21st, 2013, we invite all our friends and “ohana” (the Hawaiian word for ‘extended family’) to vote for One Warm Coat. (We’ve already started dreaming of ways to use the $25,000 winnings to build community and provide warm coats for those in need!)

To vote:
1. Go to Project Mahalo
2. Find One Warm Coat
3. Click “Vote for this Charity”
4. Enter your email address and click Submit!

Thank you, King’s Hawaiian, for your generosity and for helping us spread the word about the need and spread the warmth of warm coats!

Buds are poppin’, rain drops are droppin’; warm winds are comin’ and the snow’s finally stoppin’. Spring is here to stay! Today, as the focus shifts to outdoor activities, One Warm Coat’s focus shifts, too. During the Spring and Summer, we invite you to stay in touch here and on our Facebook page. Here’s to a spring and summer filled with fun and the wonder of caring neighbors to share it with (like you)! – The team at One Warm Coat

To our inspired Organizers, dedicated Agencies and generous Sponsors, we proudly say “Congratulations on another outstanding year!” Here are the numbers that warm our hearts and, well, make us grin from ear to ear!

* You and your teams held over 3,000 coat drives with us!
* Your efforts warmed the lives of an estimated 555,000 people in need!
* 343 new agencies registered to help us give away those coats!
* Generous contributions enabled us to purchase and give away over 17,500 brand new children’s coats!

We thank you all for joining with us to warm your communities…one coat – and many caring friends – at a time!

The intense weather conditions during this past Winter moved thousands across the country to hold coat drives to meet the immediate need for warm coats. Today, Spring has arrived in most regions and the need is no longer urgent. So, why are youth organizations registering warm weather coat drives with One Warm Coat? Because it’s time for spring cleaning! (Smart thinking, kids! Now your parents have an extra easy way to pass on the coats you’ve outgrown!) Whatever the weather, whatever your reasons, One Warm Coat makes a coat drive easy – through every season!

One Warm Coat is featured in a new video from KIND Healthy Snacks that shines the spotlight on organizations who “Do the KIND Thing!” Two years ago, this innovative sponsor invited us on a journey to build awareness of simple acts of kindness that have the power to create waves of positive change. Back then, we happily shared what we know about the millions whose simple act of donating a warm coat (or otherwise contributing to our work) and the millions whose lives have been changed as a result. Today, watching their new video warmed our hearts all over again! Thank you, KIND friends, for spreading warmth and kindness in all that you do!

Our new friends at King’s Hawaiian just announced Project Mahalo to recognize charitable organizations who exemplify “Sharing the Hawaiian Way,” and they’ve chosen One Warm Coat as a featured charity! They’re inviting YOU – their ohana (the Hawaiian word for “extended family”) – to help determine which of four organizations best embodies the spirit of giving generously to others, honoring family and community and reflecting the genuine hospitality and graciousness of Hawaii.

With your vote and the votes of your ohana, One Warm Coat could reach many, many more people with our message about the need for warm coats and how easy it is to solve the problem! (Did we say that the winner receives $25,000?? The winner receives $25,000!!!)

TO VOTE:
* Go to Project Mahalo (http://www.kingshawaiian.com/project-mahalo/)
* Find One Warm Coat
* Click “Vote for this Charity”
* Enter your email address and click Submit!

Then, picture yourself wrapped in the warmth of our heartfelt thanks for helping us spread the word and spread the warmth of a warm coat to many more people in need. Mahalo! (That’s the Hawaiian word for “Thank You!”)

When he sees a problem, Monica S.’s son takes action, independently and directly. This amazing 12-year old recently held a One Warm Coat drive and collected nearly 90 coats! Although he had some help distributing many of them to the Tri Valley Church in Livermore (CA), he also personally handed out coats to some of the area’s neediest residents. It’s been said that children are our future. Thanks to the actions of this young man and his youthful coat drive counterparts, we see a bright future indeed!