I joined The Junior League of Austin and stay involved year after year because I have seen firsthand the difference League volunteers can make in the lives of children here in Central Texas through programs such as Coats for Kids. 

Coats for Kids was my first exposure to the power of the League. I was a teacher and arranged morning volunteer activities for students to give back to our school community. One little boy attended every event from the start, greeted people with a smile, and stayed to clean up each morning. Then, one day, he stopped coming without a word. I didn’t understand, and he wouldn’t say anything else. 

That year, I was blessed enough to see HIM and his family at Coats for Kids; I was a community volunteer. He had been too embarrassed to ask for help or borrow a coat when the colder weather had arrived, so he had stopped helping with the outdoor morning activities. He also changed in school; he was quiet, reserved, and smiled much less. The very next week, after Coats for Kids, he was back to helping and back to his same big-hearted, joy-filled self.

— Lauren M. Ivey-Muniz

Lauren’s story is part of the “The Wonder of Why,” series. Wondering how you can share your story of why you joined the League or why you continue to volunteer? Email your story of 150 words or less to the communications council at communicationsasst@jlaustin.org. More stories will be shared via JLA social media and LeagueLines, the JLA blog. ⭐

More about Coats for Kids!

Register for the Coat Drive Competition! This year’s coat drive competition runs November 15 through December 2. To register for the Coat Drive Competition, fill out the Coat Drive Competition registration form here.

Working from home, schooling from home, or looking for a way to be a part of CFK remotely? Check out our Amazon Wish List  or make your own wish list and start a coat drive with coworkers, friends, and family from all over! Scan the QR code to visit CFK’s Amazon Wish List!

In need of some inspiration to host your own coat drive? Here are a few ideas!

• Organize a drive-through coat drive for people to drop off at a central location/day
• Host an outdoor event and ask that everyone bring a coat donation
• Reach out to your neighbors through your neighborhood Facebook group or NextDoor and spread the word about CFK with a doorstep drop off
• Have a digital forum for your building? Post about CFK!
• Looking for a way to reach far and wide? Try to get donations from all 50 states!

Looking for some other ways to support Coats for Kids?

Sign up to volunteer! Volunteer shifts are available now through December 12 to help prepare, sort, size, and shop coats and help bring warmth to kids in Central Texas this year! All provisionals are required to complete one three-hour Coats for Kids volunteer shift. Active members may sign up for one Coats for Kids volunteer shift to count as one member credit towards their league year requirement. Visit your member home page for more information!

Donate a new or gently used coat! Donate a new or gently used coat by dropping it off at any Jack Brown Cleaners location beginning November 15. You can also text GIVEATX to 243725 to donate to Coats for Kids – just $20 buys a new coat!

The Coats for Kids (CFK) committee is excited to move into the CIC soon to begin sorting, shopping, and distributing warm winter coats for Central Texas children in need! Distribution Week will kick off December 4, 2021 and run through December 11, 2021. 

For more information about Coats for Kids, visit https://www.jlaustin.org/coats.