Hazleton Rotary KidzCoatz Program Receives Grant

Hazleton Rotary KidzCoatz Program Receives Grant

The Luzerne Foundation recently presented a grant to the Hazleton Rotary Foundation to support the KidzCoatz program which annually distributes coats to needy children in the Hazleton Area School District.

The KidzCoatz program began in 2007 with the distribution of 247 new coats and grew in 2008 to 355 coats and over 400 coats in 2009. Funds are raised throughout the year and all monies are used to purchase new coats which are then distributed by Hazleton Rotary Club members. This year, coats were delivered to Arthur Street, Drums Elementary, Freeland Elementary, Hazle Elementary, Heights-Terrace Elementary, McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary, Valley Elementary and West Hazleton Elementary schools.

“This is a terrific program,” noted Charles Barber, President/CEO of The Luzerne Foundation. “Teachers told the Hazelton Rotary that students came shivering to school, needing to warm up by the heaters before being able to begin their school day. The program aids the health and learning abilities of the students.”

Over 100 grant applications were received during The Luzerne Foundation’s Fall Grant cycle requesting over $475,000 in funding for programs and services valued at over $7.5 million.