Within the framework of the COATS campaign, orphanage children were given winter clothes

The FINANCIAL — On November 12 within the framework of the COATS campaign, orphanage children were given winter clothes. The charity event was held at Radisson Blue Iveria Hotel with the slogan “Children for Children”. The aim of the Coats (Clothing Others Against the Snow) campaign is to provide winter clothes to the children living in orphanage.

Children from 12 schools of Tbilisi are involved in the project – British Georgian Academy, British International School, New School, International School QSI, St. George’s British-Georgian School, European School, Deutsche International School, Caucasian French School at Georgia, Robert Schuman European School, N1 Experimental School, N21 and N53 public schools.

As COATS coordinator Ms. Natia Jorjikia said school pupils are the main driving forces of the campaign. Givi Zaldastanishvili American Academy organized the collection of clothes and shoes in schools and its parents’ council has been actively involved in organizing a charity event within a month.

“Some Private and three public schools are included in the project. COATS is not a registered organization, it is a campaign which is depended on the goodwill and donations of the people. Except for children and parents who are actively collecting items for orphanage children, private companies and NGOs are very actively involved in it. British Petroleum, International Women’s Association, US Embassy, Open Society Georgia, Guram Tavartkiladze Teaching University, East Point, Millennium Challenge Account Georgia, and other organizations and individuals support us in this campaign. We bring children from different regions of Georgia for this event and return them back that needs expenses. Private companies helped us in bringing collected items in Radisson Blu Iveria and provided children with some sweets. As we are depended on donations we were anxious if we collect enough things for children, but as we experienced from past years we collected much more things and distributed to other poor families – says Natia Jorjikia.

It is already 8 years Coats helps children with the all needed items for the winter season. The number of beneficiaries reached 335 this year.

“This campaign is very emotional for me and for the children. In my opinion, similar projects are important for our children, because they learn and get involved in charity activities from the early years and help others who do not have parents and who need clothes, shoes and many more-says Coats Coordinator.

Coats was founded 8 years ago by the wife of BP chairman Michelle Dann for supporting the Child Support Center’s Child and Environment beneficiaries. This year, the two more centers Salvation Army and American Friends of Georgia got involved in the campaign.

Coats helped children in Tbilisi, Rustavi, Norio, Bediani, Nikozi, Lagodekhi and Chiatura orphanages in 2017. The gifts awarding ceremony was finished with a huge cake and fireworks at Radisson Blu Iveria.