Assembly's Salas joins Kings County community partners for annual winter coat drive

Salas partnered with the Professional Latin American Association and Kings County Community Action Organization (KCAO) to facilitate a donation from Southern California Gas to purchase 400 coats to distribute to children and teenagers in need.

“When we come together as a community we can make a difference,” said Assemblymember Salas. “No child should have to endure the cold of winter without a coat. I want to thank Southern California Gas and all of the partners who volunteered their time, resources and energy to help hundreds of kids stay warm and dry this winter.”

Salas joined Jeff Garner, Executive Director of KCAO, at the KCAO Child Enrichment Center in Hanford to provide young children with winter coats. KCAO oversees the Head Start Program for Kings County. Head Start is a federally funded preschool program that promotes school readiness for children from low-income families.

“KCAO is grateful to continue our partnership with Assemblymember Rudy Salas to distribute coats to children in Kings County,” said Garner. “It is a joy to see firsthand the smiles on the children’s faces when they put on their new coats. This is a project that we always look forward to.”

Also, hundreds of more coats were distributed at the Rosa Parks Learning Center in Hanford and the KCAO Dolores Huerta Head Start Center in Corcoran. Salas also teamed up with the Corcoran Police Department to distribute coats throughout the community.

Corcoran Police Chief Reuben P. Shortnacy stated, “Because of Assemblymember Salas’ generosity, many children will have a warm coat for the winter that otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Since Assemblymember Salas helped to begin the coat drive, over 1,200 winter coats have been provided to residents throughout Kings County.