HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – After two decades of helping neighbors stay warm during winter, the Tennessee Valley coat drive is back with a fresh name and the same grassroots mission. Now called Toni’s Tots, Tykes and Teens Coat Drive, the effort is led by local radio personality Toni Terrell, who is known affectionately as “Your Best Girlfriend.”
Why the name change?
Terrell previously organized the annual coat drive through her work at a North Alabama radio station. When the station downsized and she left her on‑air role, community members urged her to keep the tradition alive. “People told me how much this drive meant to them and their families,” Terrell said. “I wanted to make sure the help continued, even without the radio platform.” The new name reflects her personal leadership while honoring the children the drive serves.
How to donate
Coat donations can be dropped off at two Smoothie King locations – one on University Drive and another on Madison Boulevard – during regular business hours. The official collection hub is the Huntsville City School of Technology, located at 2603 N. Memorial Parkway, Max Luther Building. Volunteers will be on site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21.
Longtime partners return
Longstanding supporters Bankston Motor Homes and the National Pan‑Hellenic Council of North Alabama Huntsville have pledged to help again this year. Their involvement includes providing logistical assistance, spreading the word through community networks, and helping sort and distribute the coats to families in need.
Impact of the drive
Over the past 20 years, the coat drive has collected thousands of winter coats, jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves for residents across the Tennessee Valley. Local families have repeatedly told organizers that the donations make a tangible difference, especially for children who would otherwise face the cold without adequate clothing.
How you can help
In addition to donating gently used or new winter outerwear, volunteers are needed to staff the drop‑off sites, sort donations, and deliver coats to distribution points. Interested community members can contact the drive’s coordination team via the Smoothie King locations or by calling the Huntsville City School of Technology’s main line.
Looking ahead
Terrell hopes the rebranded drive will attract even more support in future years, expanding its reach to additional neighborhoods and schools throughout the region. “Our goal is to keep this tradition alive for the next generation,” she said. “When we work together, we can ensure every child in Huntsville has a warm coat for the winter.”
Original reporting: WAFF 48 Huntsville (news) — read the source article.
