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Local nonprofit is collecting coats for kids, and giving away hot tamales

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CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — If you've got new or used coats in your closet that you don't wear anymore, a local nonprofit wants to take them off your hands. They'll be using them to help underprivileged kids stay warm this winter.

When it's cold outside, it's second nature to just grab a jacket and walk out of the door, but for many Coastal Bend area kids, that's not possible.

“The reality is there's a lot of folks who really don't have the means to buy the jackets and there's a lot of need in the community,” said Solomon Ortiz Jr.

Ortiz works with a local non-profit that's looking to help, just in time for winter.

The Map of Texas "Coats for Kids" holiday party is going to be hosted at Aloft hotel. They'll be collecting new and gentle used coats for underprivileged kids of all ages.

“All sizes we'll even take adult sizes,” said Ortiz. “Maybe your kids have outgrown them from last winter and they're still in good shape we'll be accepting those as well.”

Map of Texas will distribute the coats to kids from various schools and low-income housing programs.

The goal is to help as many kids as possible.

Throughout the year, Map of Texas works to introduce children and teenagers to the possibilities of higher education; a lot of times, by taking them on field trips across the state, at no cost to them.

“The University of Texas; to tour the campus and we've gone to the UT Marine Science Institute, “said Ortiz. “We've done Texas State Aquarium.”

This winter, Ortiz says they aim to break their past record of 350 coats. I

f you don't have a coat or jacket to donate, Ortiz says that's OK. People can also make monetary donations, and Map of Texas will use those funds to buy more coats.

But, anyone who does stop by Coats for Kids today will get to enjoy free tamales.

“And also we've got my Tia Rosa's famous bunuelos,” said Ortiz.

The event is from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 25 at the Aloft Hotel at 5117 Embassy Drive. For more information on where to make a monetary donation, visit mapoftexas.org