Since 2010, Charlotte Mechanical has helped more than its customers stay warm during the cold season months. What started nine 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. Through the love, generosity and help of special partnerships, the Coat Drive continues to grow each year. Our goal is to collect 5,000 coats for the Salvation Army this year! We invite you to help us keep Charlotte warm.
The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte has served the residents of Mecklenburg and Union Counties since 1904 with care and encouragement to people in need every day. All coats collected will be distributed to their men, women and children’s shelters and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Charlotte Mechanical funds everything 100% with zero cost to The Salvation Army or any location.
We are so grateful to our Barrel Partners who are spread out through the Greater Charlotte area, making it easy for you to drop off a new or gently used coat. Take a look at the map to see which barrel location is near you! And, mark your calendar for our Warmup Finale Party on Nov. 15 at Dilworth Neighborhood Grille. It’s a fun-filled and lively party, replete with entertainment, onsite activities, free food ... and of course, more coat collection! You won’t want to miss this community celebration.
Whether you’ve already cleaned out your closet and donated coats or you still need to drop off some outerwear, all are welcome to join us for some fun at our Warmup Finale Party. We’ll keep you warm all day! In the morning, warm up with coffee and breakfast from Chick-fil-A. At lunchtime, warm up your winter look with a makeup tutorial led by professional (Charlotte celebrity) makeup artist, Lindsey Regan Thorne. In the afternoon, warm up those muscles with one of three outdoor workouts.
So, bring your office, your family or your best friend to enjoy entertainment, food, activities and more as we all come together to keep Charlotte warm!
Chick-fil-A breakfast
Dilworth Neighborhood Grille lunch
“Warmup Your Winter Look” - makeup tutorial by Lindsey Regan Thorne (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
Photo opps with your favorite sports team mascots
"Warmup Your Muscles" - Cardio Funk outdoor workout with Lem Houston (Noon-12:45 p.m.)*
"Warmup Your Muscles" - Sweat Express indoor workout at CrossFit Dilworth (11:30-noon and 1-1:30 p.m.)*
*To participate in a class, please donate a coat or $10 upon entry. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army.
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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 DonationWith the 2019 Coat Drive in full swing, we have closed the Barrel Partner application process for this year. We would still love your support of the drive though! Please contact Heather Lantz at coatdrive@charlottemechanical.com or 704-688-9322 for more information on how you can help us reach our goal of 5,000 coats this year, and to be a 2020 partner.
The coats collected are distributed to clients already involved in the Salvation Army’s programs. 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.
