LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s the season of giving, and the yearly Free Coat Exchange took place on Black Friday. There were several pick up and drop-off sites across Louisville that participated, and locations in Jeffersontown, Shelbyville and even New Albany, Indiana. 

Leading up to Black Friday, people donated gently used coats. On the day of the Free Coat Exchange, community members have the opportunity to pick out coats in preparation for the upcoming winter.

A Save A Lot location in the Portland neighborhood participated in the Free Coat Exchange where people had the opportunity to stop by the store to pick out a coat. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas)

“This is the 14th year here in Louisville,” said Ted Loebenberg, the organizer of the Free Coat Exchange. “We’ve grown from one give away site and one drop-off site to 25 drop-off sites this year and 10 give away sites on Black Friday.”

For the last 10 years, this is something that volunteer Ava Shea has witnessed.

“There’s a lot more people that help and then I think there’s a couple more people that know about it now so we get, like, more traffic,” Shea said.

Her time with the Free Coat Exchange started by getting service hours for school.

“I think the first year I did it, I just liked it so much and it was, like, it was a fun experience, and I just kept coming back and ever since then it’s just a part of a yearly routine for me now,” Shea said.

She enjoys assisting her fellow community members and listening to their stories.

“It’s really fulfilling but it’s also eye-opening, like, you see how many people do need help and I think that’s really important, especially around this time of year,” Shea said.

Based on the steady flow of people stopping by at the Garage Bar location, it appears that this yearly event is one that’s needed. 

“I think it is awesome because everyone, everyone needs to know there’s hope,” said Kathy Rogers, a mother who picked up coats for her children.

It’s been a challenging year for Rogers to say the least. One of her children tragically passed away, so having the chance to grab coats at the Free Coat Exchange for her other kids is something she’s grateful for.

“I think when people do things like this, it brings us together,” Rogers said. “I’ve met the nicest people at the lowest time.”

Next year will be the Free Coat Exchange’s 15th year. As with every year, the giveaway will be on Black Friday and donations are taken in the weeks leading up to the event.