Broadway Kids Care Launches Annual Coat Drive

Broadway Kids Care (BKC), the organization of theater kids for kids (and others), has begun its annual coat drive on behalf of GMA's 'Warm Coats & Warm Hearts' Drive. The goal is to collect more than three hundred coats and the organization is well on its way.

"I'm really excited to be able to help with the coat drive this year," said Matthew Ko, a student at Xavier High School in New York City. Matthew is directing the coat drive for BKC this year with the assistance of fellow students from the local high school. The BKC spokesperson for the Coat Drive, Laurissa Romain said "The Winter Holidays can be a fun time of year for most people, but then there are those who don't get to fully enjoy it for a few reasons. The least we can do is collect coats to help people stay warm. I'm so grateful that there is an organization like Broadway Kids Care that brings young performers together to do what they love while helping others and making the world a better place."

Laurissa and Matthew are particularly enthusiastic about the success for this year's event. During the first round of the coat drive, which began on Monday, October 27, 2014, they collected approximately one hundred fifty coats - and there are more expected as the coat drive continues. In the spirit of Broadway giving, more Broadway shows, including Kinky Boots, are joining in the BKC effort.

Broadway Kids Care, currently organized by Tammie Cumming, was founded in 2007 by Kelly Gonda, President of East of Doheny as a way to bring together children from current and past Broadway shows while allowing them the opportunity to perform community service. During its brief history, BKC's members have participated in a variety of charitable works including: creating Halloween and Easter baskets for the children of Freedom House NYC, knitting scarves for the residents at the Lillian Booth Actor's Home, making peace/friendship bracelets for the troops in Iraq, creating hats for children undergoing chemotherapy at the Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and raising money for the UNICEF / Pampers One Pack=One Vaccine Program, among other projects.

For more information about Broadway Kids Care, visit their website at www.bwaykidscare.com.