With cold temperatures impacting the Chicagoland area, the Chicago Bears and Jewel-Osco are reminding fans that the 37th Annual Bears Coat Drive is ongoing, encouraging the community to help keep children, families and individuals warm throughout the winter.
The drive invites fans to donate new or gently used coats at more than 190 participating Jewel-Osco stores across Illinois through Feb. 16. Fans can also drop off coats at Bears Fit in Vernon Hills (155 E. Townline Rd.), where no gym membership is required.
The goal for this year's drive is to collect more than 25,000 coats for children, families and individuals in need across the Chicagoland area. Each winter, thousands of residents face the cold without proper outerwear, leaving them vulnerable to harsh weather and serious health risks.
"Every year, as an organization, we're moved by how our fans and partners show up, not just for the team, but for each other," said Bears director of equipment Tony Medlin. "When thousands of coats come in from every corner of the city, it's a powerful reminder that football is more than a game, it's a community. That kind of generosity reflects what it means to help those in need, it's the Chicago way."
The Coat Drive began in 1988 as an inspiring idea from members of the Chicago Bears equipment department who wanted to help those in need. Over nearly four decades, the program has grown into one of the NFL's longest-running community traditions, with hundreds of thousands of coats collected for children, families and individuals across Chicagoland.
The success of the coat drive is made possible through the generosity of Chicago Bears fans and the team's enduring partnerships with Jewel-Osco, The Salvation Army and Shur-Way Movers, who work together to ensure every donated coat is collected, transported and distributed to those who need them most across the Greater Chicago region.
For individuals seeking a coat to stay warm this winter, please contact The Salvation Army Holiday Hotline at (773) 353-8607.
To find your nearest donation location and learn more about the coat drive, visit ChicagoBears.com/CoatDrive.
