Minnesota Vikings Help The Salvation Army Gather Coats for Kids

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Robert Ferguson and five of his teammates gathered 169 youth jacket donations Oct. 1 at the Eden Prairie Kowalski’s Market on behalf of The Salvation Army Coats for Kids program, which this fall is aiming to collect 7,000 winter jackets for children in need.

Ferguson and company gave each coat donor a free pair of tickets to the Vikings’ Oct. 12 home game vs. the Detroit Lions. They also signed autographs and posed for photos, while the antics of mascot Viktor the Viking spread smiles and laughter. (To view event photos click here.)

The event was broadcast live by 5 Eyewitness News, whose viewers brought in dozens of extra and unexpected coats.

In recognition of the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Month, all donated coats were given to The Salvation Army’s Hispanic Outreach Center on East Lake Street in Minneapolis.

“We are extremely grateful to the Minnesota Vikings,” said Captain Kevin Cedervall, administrator of the outreach center. “Because of their generosity, nearly 200 kids in the East Lake Street neighborhood will have new jackets to keep warm this winter.”

Coats for Kids runs through Oct. 12.  Donations are being accepted at 19 drop-off sites across the Twin Cities at the places of business of the following sponsors: 5 Eyewitness News, 102.9 LITE FM, Kowalski’s Markets, US Cleaners, Home Valu Interiors, Commers Water, and the Star Tribune. For a detailed list of sites click here.

Coats for Kids is a joint effort of The Salvation Army and 5 Eyewitness News. More than 270,000 coats and winter accessories have been distributed to Twin Cities children through Coats for Kids since the program began 24 years ago.