The 704 Coat Drive, formerly known as the Charlotte Coat Drive, is presented by Charlotte Mechanical and benefits the Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. The annual two-month campaign recruits fellow Charlotte organizations to place coat donation barrels at their businesses/offices. The 12th annual drive in 2022, which ran from Sept. 5 - Nov. 11, has concluded. Charlotteans were able to drop off coats at these barrels or gift a monetary donation online. All coats collected have been distributed to the Salvation Army's men, women and children’s shelters and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Through the love, generosity and help of special partnerships, the 704 Coat Drive continues to grow each year.
Since 2010, Charlotte Mechanical, the area's premier heating, cooling and plumbing service provider, has helped more than its customers stay warm during the cold season months. What started 12 years ago as a small donation of coats from owners Steve and Nancy McLaughlin and their friends, has now become the company’s largest community event: the 704 Coat Drive. Charlotte Mechanical funds everything 100% with zero cost to The Salvation Army or any location. Hear from a few Charlotteans who received coats from a past Drive during this WBT interview. Let's warm our 704 neighbors together!
The 704 Coat Drive has officially come to a close. From private businesses to public companies to churches and first responders, we were fortunate to have a wide variety of partners. A warm thank you to all our barrel partners!
Zip-Up Day is how we zip up the 704 Coat Drive! And it's your LAST chance to give a boost of hope to your "704" neighbors by donating a brand new or like-new coat.
So, grab a family member, friend, co-worker, or ALL of them and swing by the parking lot of Dilworth Neighborhood Grille for a family-friendly event. You'll be greeted with free food, music, mascots and some zippy surprises.
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille box lunch
Stilt Walker, Homer the Dragon & Chubby Checker
Open-air professional photo booth
Music all day from Carolina DJ Professionals
If you can’t make it out to one of our Barrel Partner locations, or maybe you don’t have any coats to give, you can always make a monetary donation to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. All the money donated will go toward buying new coats for those in need. Those coats will be distributed to Salvation Army’s shelters and Boys and Girls Clubs in Charlotte. Every little bit helps to keep Charlotte warm this winter!
Give A DonationIf you're interested in becoming a barrel partner this year, please contact us at 704coatdrive@gmail.com.
If you are in need, please reach out to The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte to find out how you can receive help. Call 704-714-4727.