For the third year in a row, Kristen Johnson will chair Jewish Family Service’s annual Coats & Cocoa drive. The goal is to keep local kids warm over the winter with hot chocolate and brand new coats. And Johnson is a pro at scoring great deals on cold weather gear. She’s shared in past years how she uses coupons and cash back deals, shopping sales at stores such as Kohl’s, Costco, Walmart and Target.

“I just find this to be such a fulfilling mission,” said Johnson. “I’m not always there to see the kids get the coats, but it’s so awesome to hear they are loving the brand new coats and getting to choose their own and really having a sense of pride about picking out the one that they really like. So it just feels like the community has been so extremely generous in years past, even to the point where their generosity was able to spill into other organizations in the Lehigh Valley, with our extras serving the community beyond even just the JFS clients.”

Again this year, JFS is accepting donations of brand new coats (with tags on) in children’s sizes 2T to 16 and boxes of hot cocoa mix. Deliveries can be made to the JFS office at 2004 W. Allen Street in Allentown. Donors are encouraged to pick out thick coats that can withstand below freezing temperatures.

“It’s just extremely rewarding, and as a parent, knowing that other kids are going to keep warm in the winters, there’s no better feeling,” added Johnson.

To donate, please set up an appointment at 610-821-8722 or have packages shipped to Jewish Family Service of the Lehigh Valley at 6063 Palomino Drive, Allentown, PA 18106.

Contributions can also be made at jfslv.org/donate by clicking on the “Coats & Cocoa” drop down option.