Thanks to one foundation, many of our kids have new coats

Early Saturday morning, we were lucky enough to be part of a shopping trip that will keep some of our kids in foster care warm over the winter.

We couldn’t see over our cart full of coats.

The Karen Carns Foundation invited us to be part of their annual coat giveaway. It was quite a sight – representatives from many schools, agencies and other charities shopping at Gabe’s in Sharonville before the store opened. Everyone left with bags and bags of coats.

And no one paid a cent.

The Mason-based foundation began in 1991, when Tom Carns got an unexpected bonus from work. He and Karen decided to use the money to teach their children about the true meaning of Christmas. So they bought new coats for the Saint Vincent DePaul Society to distribute.

Since, the foundation’s Coats for Kids project has grown each year. This year, it bought 1,100 coats. 

Tom started Saturday’s shopping day off with a prayer and many of the foundation’s board members and friends were there to help find coats and carry them to shoppers’ cars. Karen died of cancer in 2001 at 38. But her husband, family and friends continue to carry on the mission.

We got 45 coats. Thank you, Tom, and the rest of your crew. Our kids will be warm this winter and we greatly appreciate it.

 

 

by Jane Prendergast

Filed Under: News