National Clothesline

When winter approaches, San Antonio residents know that Five Star Cleaners will be ready with its “Cold Days, Warm Hearts” winter coat project. After all, in the past 30 years Five Star has collected more than 100,000 coats which are cleaned and then delivered to two San Antonio charities for distribution.

This year is no different. The annual drive started in mid-November and runs through January.

“The economy has not improved in the last year, and San Antonio’s unemployment is 7.9 percent, the highest it has been in 21 years,” said Sharlene Thum, vice president and co-founder with her husband Richard of Five Star Cleaners.

“More people than ever will need a coat this winter, and we are hoping everybody will support Five Star Cleaners’ Cold Days, Warm Hearts winter coat project by donating a coat for this year’s initiative.”

For the second year, the drive got a kick-start from students at San Antonio Christian School who were challenged by school administrators to bring in at least one coat for the drive. On the day of the kick-off news conference, they delivered 1,294 coats, more than the number of students enrolled at the private school.

Every donor receives a receipt for tax purposes along with a $5 gift certificate toward a future drycleaning order at any of Five Star’s 18 locations.

Partners with Five Star in the effort are two charities, Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) and SAMMinistries.

Navarra Williams, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, said, “Due to these difficult financial times, SAMMinistries is experiencing a huge increase in the number of homeless men, women and children that we serve on a daily basis. In fact, the number of families receiving our help has grown tremendously, making this effort even more important and extraordinary. We are thankful to have such caring partners in the community.”

“Many individuals who traditionally have not needed additional help are facing financial crisis,” added Dawn White, executive director of CAM.

The annual coat drive is just one of Five Star Cleaners community outreach programs. The company also collects donations for Dress for Success and this summer launched a food drive initiative for the San Antonio Food Bank called “Five for 5.”


								National Clothesline
								National Clothesline



						Warm hearts in San Antonio
						Warm hearts in San Antonio





						When winter approaches, San Antonio residents know that Five Star Cleaners will be ready with its “Cold Days, Warm Hearts” winter coat project. After all, in the past 30 years Five Star has collected more than 100,000 coats which are cleaned and then delivered to two San Antonio charities for distribution. This year is no different. The annual drive started in mid-November and runs through January. “The economy has not improved in the last year, and San Antonio’s unemployment is 7.9 percent, the highest it has been in 21 years,” said Sharlene Thum, vice president and co-founder with her husband Richard of Five Star Cleaners. “More people than ever will need a coat this winter, and we are hoping everybody will support Five Star Cleaners’ Cold Days, Warm Hearts winter coat project by donating a coat for this year’s initiative.” For the second year, the drive got a kick-start from students at San Antonio Christian School who were challenged by school administrators to bring in at least one coat for the drive. On the day of the kick-off news conference, they delivered 1,294 coats, more than the number of students enrolled at the private school. Every donor receives a receipt for tax purposes along with a $5 gift certificate toward a future drycleaning order at any of Five Star’s 18 locations. Partners with Five Star in the effort are two charities, Christian Assistance Ministry (CAM) and SAMMinistries. Navarra Williams, president and CEO of SAMMinistries, said, “Due to these difficult financial times, SAMMinistries is experiencing a huge increase in the number of homeless men, women and children that we serve on a daily basis. In fact, the number of families receiving our help has grown tremendously, making this effort even more important and extraordinary. We are thankful to have such caring partners in the community.” “Many individuals who traditionally have not needed additional help are facing financial crisis,” added Dawn White, executive director of CAM. The annual coat drive is just one of Five Star Cleaners community outreach programs. The company also collects donations for Dress for Success and this summer launched a food drive initiative for the San Antonio Food Bank called “Five for 5.”