The 2nd Annual "Coats for HOPE" coat drive begins on Monday and runs through December 3rd for area families who have gone through a domestic violence incident.
Byron 7th grade student Victoria Kuzlik along with her father thought of the idea as they went through a domestic situation with their family. Last year, Victoria raised $5,700 and collected more than 1,000 winter coats, gloves, mittens, and hats for families in the area. The items and money went to HOPE of Ogle County.
Victoria this year has decided to raise $20,000 and collect 1,500 winter items. Along with HOPE of Ogle County, the money and winter items will go to Remedies of Rockford, Voices of Freeport, the YWCA of Sauk Valley, and Safe Passage of DeKalb.
Victoria was a guest yesterday on the program "Let The People Know". She said that her goal this year is to help more families in the area.
HOPE of Ogle County Executive Director Ruth Carter said that the money and coats helped the program last year due to the lack of state funds at the time.
"Let The People Know" is heard on Wednesday afternoon at 12:30 on Newstalk 1060 and rebroadcast Saturday morning at 6 on Newstalk 1060 and Sunday morning at 6 on "The Coyote".
