Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive Draws to a Successful Close

BURLINGTON, N.J., March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The cold winter months are notoriously difficult for those in need, but thanks to the annual partnership of Burlington Coat Factory, ABC's Good Morning America (GMA), and the national non-profit organization, One Warm Coat, struggling Americans were gifted a new or gently-worn winter coat to brave the weather in comfort. The fourth installment of the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive began on October 29, 2010 and concluded on February 13, 2011. The coat drive sparked the donation of 219,864 coats, on par with last year. In addition, Burlington Coat Factory's generous customers donated close to a quarter of a million dollars for One Warm Coat. Funds raised have been converted into new kids coats, some of which have already been distributed to U.S. children, and others to be distributed to children in the fall, 2011.

This annual collaboration is part of an ongoing effort to ensure no individual goes without a winter coat. Each year the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive relies on the generosity and compassion of Americans across the country to contribute to the cause through a coat donation at Burlington Coat Factory stores nationwide and in conjunction with GMA's on-air segments to further awareness.

All coats collected at Burlington Coat Factory stores were distributed by One Warm Coat's area participating agencies that in turn donated coats to those locally in need.

Sherri Wood, One Warm Coat's national founder stated, "We're thrilled with the results of this year's drive and want to extend a heart-felt thank you to all those who participated in this year's initiative by providing warmth to those in need."

"Participating in the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive is an integral part of our company's philanthropic heritage of giving back to our local communities," remarked Thomas Kingsbury, president and chief executive officer of Burlington Coat Factory. "Since initiating the drive over four years ago, we've been able to donate close to one million coats to those who need them, thanks to our tremendously generous customers. We thank our shoppers for their continued support and for keeping those in their communities warm throughout the winter."

"Good Morning America wants to whole-heartedly thank our dedicated viewers who participated in the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive this year," said James Goldston, Senior Executive Producer. "After the record-breaking cold winter the country endured, the drive proves as important as ever and 'GMA' is once again grateful to be a part of it."

For more information about this initiative, please visit, http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/content/aboutus/community-relations/coat-drive

About Burlington Coat Factory

Burlington Coat Factory, a national retail chain offering current, high-quality, designer and name-brand merchandise for the entire family up to 60% off department store prices every day, provides a broad selection of product categories. Departments include ladies' sportswear, menswear, family footwear, children's clothing, furniture and accessories for baby at Baby Depot, home decor and gifts, along with the largest selection of coats in the nation for the entire family. Burlington Coat Factory, founded in 1972, has expanded from a single store selling coats to a multi-department retail chain with more than 450 stores in 44 states and in Puerto Rico. In 2006, Bain Capital purchased Burlington Coat Factory. For more information, visit www.BurlingtonCoatFactory.com.

About One Warm Coat

One Warm Coat (OWC) is a national nonprofit organization that assists in the donation of coats. OWC helps individuals, groups, companies and organizations across the country collect coats and deliver them to local agencies that distribute them free, to people in need. Its mission is to ensure that anyone who needs a coat has one. Providing this simple, yet vital, need helps people live productive lives year round. Since inception, more than 2 million coats have been collected and distributed through One Warm Coat activities. For more information about One Warm Coat, visit: www.onewarmcoat.org

About Good Morning America

ABC News' Good Morning America is co-anchored by George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts. Juju Chang is the news anchor and Sam Champion is the weather anchor. The Emmy Award-winning morning news program airs live from 7:00 to 9:00 am/EDT on the ABC Television Network. Jim Murphy is the Senior Executive Producer and Tom Cibrowski is the Executive Producer of ABC News' Good Morning America. For more, visit www.abcnews.go.com/GMA

SOURCE Burlington Coat Factory