OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — A new coat is a simple gesture that means a lot to kids at Indian Hills Elementary School in Omaha. It means fitting in with their friends; it means being warm when they walk to school.
Friday morning, 100 students from the elementary school were invited to pick out a new coat and toy as part of the Sixth Annual Koats 4 Kidz Event, a partnership between the Douglas County Treasurer’s Office and Fresh Wellness Foundation.
“A lot of them walk to school,” Bob Holzapfel, Indian Hills Elementary School Principal said. “As the weather is getting colder coats are a necessity unfortunately some don’t have resources to buy new coats, so we have different ways to reach out to the community and bring them in and help meet that need.”
Schools help decide which students could use a new coat.
“It’s always fun to see their reaction when they find out they get to keep the coat,” Shana Skillstad, Fresh Wellness Foundation said.
Most of the kids she said just think they’re trying on a coat because they don’t get new things all the time.
Many were even shy when it came time to pick out a toy, thanks to Toys for Tots.
“This time of year, can be stressful for some families,” Holzapfel said. “So it’s just good to see them smiling and appreciative of the gifts they’ve been given.”
Koats 4 Kidz is passing out coats at four different metro schools this year thanks to community donations. Over the past six years, they’ve been able to help 1,000 kids.