Just in time

Five hundred free coats mean 500 boys, girls, moms, and dads who won't go cold this winter.

It may have looked a little different this year, but the Macy's & Clothes4Souls "Sharing the Warmth" coat giveaway had the same goal, taking care of families in need. Friday night, the Lola & Duane Hagadone Boys & Girls Club was filled with stacks of name brand jackets supplied through Macy's nationwide "Buy a Coat, and We'll Donate One" campaign that will distribute 20,000 winter coats in 2020.

"So many people are struggling to get through their day-to-day," Nicole Hammons, development director for Boys & Girls Club of Kootenai County, said. "Being able to not worry about being cold or where the money will come from to buy new coats for their kids is amazing."

Dan Bolyard couldn't agree more. His daughter, Mandy, and two sons, Zach and Koby, got new coats Friday.

"Especially this time of year, it's getting cold, and funds are tight," he said.

Both Zach, 10, and Koby, 7, attend the Lola & Duane Hagadone Boys & Girls Club. Koby was excited about his new coat, considering his last one is too small and gets soaking wet in the rain.

"I like it because it's mostly black," he said in his too-cool-for-school sunglasses and hoodie. "And I'm really excited because my dad doesn't like my old one."

Due to COVID, the Boys & Girls Club had to limit the number of families in the gym by dividing the jackets between their two locations, one at the Hagadone Club and the other at the Jordan Johnson Club in Post Falls. Usually, the gym is filled with kiddos running around the gym to try on the different designs, but this year to keep everyone safe, jackets were kept in plastic bags, and families signed up for time slots.

Thanks to Rita and Rick Case, the Clothes4Souls, and Macy's coat campaign came to Kootenai County.

The Cases, who established 13 Boys & Girls Club locations in their home state of Florida, have been supporters of club families for decades.

Rick Case died earlier this year. Rita Case is president and CEO of the Rick Case Automotive Group. They are known for their philanthropy and have donated much to Coeur d'Alene.

"The families that we have right now are super appreciative to have any help they can get. We are super thankful to be able to do that with the help of Macy's and Rita Case," Hammons said.

Wesley Fields, 6, was over-the-moon for his new jacket and its cool black, gray, and red design for two crucial reasons.

"A, because it has my three favorite colors," he said, jumping around the gym. "B, it's not one of those big puffy coats."

His mother, Anna, was also picking out a jacket for her daughter, who was playing with friends in the other room. It was their first time participating in the giveaway, and Anna couldn't have been happier.

"Being able to get him a coat that he can wear that he's happy with is amazing," she said. "I think this is awesome. It's a great service for the community, wonderful for people that need it."

Skyler, 10, and Bayden Nipp, 7, also grabbed the black and red zip-up jackets. Now, the two brothers are going to hit the streets, matching in style.

"It's really cool because black and red are two really good colors to go together," Skyler said. "I'm really excited to get a new coat, and it's cool because we get to pick out stuff we like."

Since 2013, 290,000 coats have been donated through Macy's partnership with Clothes4Souls, a retail value of nearly $12 million.

When Lexi McDaniel found out her winter jacket would have cost $80 at the store, her eyes widened.

"Wow," she whispered.

She thought about it for a moment, looking at her new jacket still in its protective packaging. McDaniel, 9, likes coming to the Boy & Girls Club, but she'd rather be playing video games like Fortnite and Minecraft at home. However, she was happy to be in that gym Friday night.

"A lot of people get cold in the winter," McDaniel said. "And they don't have enough shelter, so this is where they can get new coats."

Over 70 families signed up to grab their own apparel. If there is anything left Friday night, Hammons said the club plans to make them available for the community.

"We get a lot of kids that have holes in their shoes, or they are wearing something that is torn or has stains," she said. "When they get something new you can tell their pride just illuminates their little souls."