2,300 coats collected for the needy

For the second consecutive year, The Salvation Army Tidewater Area Command partnered with Hampton Roads businesses to provide coats for the needy during the "One Dry Coat" campaign.

The collection drive was sponsored by Entercom Radio Group, which asked residents to donate gently used coats by spreading the word through its four local radio stations: 2WD, 95.7 R&B, Z104 and 94.9 The Point.

Residents dropped off the coats at ABNB Federal Credit Union locations, Ski World, Honey Baked Ham stores, Bank of the Commonwealth and any Norfolk Admirals home hockey game.

Zoots dry cleaners cleaned each coat and made minor repairs. This year's drive totaled almost 2,300 coats, and Zoots estimates the cost of its donated services totaled more than $10,000.

The coats were delivered to The Salvation Army on Jan. 11, and the agency will distribute them this winter.