Knights of Columbus to give away free kids coats

The Knights of Columbus will distribute new winter coats to children in need at seven sites throughout Connecticut on so-called "Black Friday/"

The "K of C Coats for Kids" distributions will be held at sites in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Brooklyn, Groton and Waterbury, according to a release/

"The statewide initiative builds on a program held in Bridgeport over Thanksgiving weekend in 2012. Last year 2,000 coats were distributed statewide by the Knights on Black Friday," the release said

In the United States and Canada, the Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program has given away some 215,000 coats to children since 2009.

"On the first Christmas, Christ was born in a cold stable because there was no room in the inn,"

Supreme Knight Carl Anderson said in the release. "Today, our members are making sure that children in our state can keep warm at Christmas and throughout the winter season."

Coats will be distributed in Connecticut from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at seven locations, including:

New Haven: St. Rose of Lima Church Hall, 115 Blatchley Ave.

Bridgeport: St. Monica’s Hall at St. Augustine Cathedral, 170 Thompson St.

Brooklyn: Parks & Recreation Center, 69 South Main St.

Groton: Sacred Heart School, 56 Sacred Heart Drive

Hartford: Our Lady of Sorrows, 79 New Park Ave

Stamford: Knights of Columbus Council 41, 507 Shippan Ave.

Waterbury: St. Michael’s Church, 62 St. Michael’s Drive

. Last year, Knights donated more than $170 million and more than 70 million hours to charitable causes, the release said.
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