COEUR d’ALENE — Ava Richardson was more than pleased with the new coat she received at the Lola and Duane Hagadone Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday.

The 7-year-old was beaming with pride as she explained she likes to go sledding on Cherry Hill.

“It will keep really warm because there’s two layers on it,” she said. “Every time I put it on, it will keep me warm.”

Her big brother, Mykah Richardson, 10, was also sporting a new brown hooded jacket.

He loved wearing it and putting his hands in its pockets.

“I feel like it keeps me secure,” he said.

Willow Calder walked away with a huge smile as she carried a box of Bearpaw boots.

“I’m going to go put them on now,” she announced.

Clothes4Souls and Macy’s partnered to distribute more than 600 new coats from Macy’s to adults and children at the Boys and Girls clubs in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. Macy’s, through its ninth annual “Buy a Coat and We’ll Donate One” campaign, donated 20,000 brand new coats nationwide to Clothes4Souls, a division of Soles4Souls, Inc.

For every eligible coat purchased online, Macy’s has donated a new coat “to provide warmth, hope and dignity to those in need this winter.”

Hunter Schweitzers, 9, tried on a coat he said was a bit too big.

“I just need a small,” he said.

Another donor contributed new Bearpaw boots to the giveaway in the gym that included pleased parents along with cheery children.

“It feels so wonderful,” said Adalynn MacArthur, 8, as she tried on a pair of brown boots.

Not quite right, though.

“Can I get black one?” she asked.

She could. Much better.

“I’m going to put them in there and put these on,” she said as she put on the boots and put her old shoes in the box.

Jewelz Becraft was busy helping kids pick out and try on boots – and having a blast.

“I’m finally in the Christmas spirit,” she said, smiling. “This is exactly what I needed.”

Mark Kuhnhausen, executive director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Kootenai County, said it was a pleasure to watch the scene unfold.

“A lot of these kids don’t have coats," he said. "For the kids to get a brand-new coat, you can see they’re pretty proud. It makes them feel good.”

To date, Macy’s partnership with Clothes4Souls has resulted in a total of 290,000 brand new coats

distributed nationwide since 2013, with a retail value of more than $11.6 million.

The coat giveaway campaign came to North Idaho thanks to the work of the late Rick Case and his wife, Rita, who established Boys and Girls Club locations in their home state of Florida and have given much to Coeur d’Alene, where they lived part time.

Rita Case, president and CEO of the Rick Case Automotive Group, has arranged the new coat distribution every year for the kids to be sure they are warm and have a holiday gift from the club. 

"Providing these brand-new winter coats to our boys and girls club members just in time for winter and the holidays brings such joy to their families,” said Rita Case, who led the development and fundraising to build the Coeur d’Alene club five years ago.

Kuhnhausen praised Rita Case for her efforts.

“She doesn’t live here full-time, but her heart is here full-time,” he said.

Lola Hagadone of Coeur d’Alene was on hand to help out.

“I think it’s overwhelming to see the joy of the children when they get the coats,” she said. “Their faces just light up, they’re so proud.”

She said it was a wonderful experience to witness it.

“It cannot really help but warm your heart,” Lola Hagadone said.

Harley Hult, 13, stood tall as he wore his new Levi’s jacket.

“I think it’s really quality,” he said.

Savior Taylor, wearing a Santa hat and a new brown and tan Levi’s coat, was equally happy.

“In the morning it’s pretty cold, so I think it’s going to keep me very, very warm,” he said.