Illinois Residents Asked To Respond To Critical Shortage Of Children’s Winter Clothing

Merlin Muffler & Brake Set to Launch 14th Annual Snug Hugs for Kids™ Clothing Drive

GENEVA, IL (Wednesday, September 07, 2005) - Merlin Muffler & Brake shops in Illinois will kick off their fourteenth annual Snug Hugs for Kids™ winter clothing drive on November 1st.

With scores of young people in need of warm clothing for the coldest months of the year right here in Illinois, Merlin is asking residents to assist them in topping last year’s collection of more than 15 tons of donated and hand-made children’s clothing.

All donated items can be dropped off at any Illinois Merlin Muffler & Brake shop from November 1st through December 6th. The winter outerwear should be sized to fit children ages newborn to eighteen years old, and the items needed most include new and like-new coats, hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, sweaters, pants, and socks.

Like-new clothing should have little visible wear and tear, be clean and free of stains, have no holes, frays or missing buttons, and have working zippers.

The new items are sometimes given as gifts to the children. For some, these are the only gifts they will receive. Warm winter attire will help the children be better prepared to attend school and play outdoors in cold weather. What’s more important is that beautiful warm clothes help build children’s self-esteem.

“In a year where we have seen an unprecedented natural disaster affect thousands of Americans, we must also remember our neighbors in need,” commented Merlin’s President Frank Smola. “Snug Hugs annually benefits Illinois most vulnerable residents – children – from the harsh reality of winter weather. We are most pleased to be able to assist in warming the hands and hearts of thousands of young people.”

On December 7th , the clothing will be delivered by a convoy of Merlin franchisees, employees, and corporate staff to Children’s Home & Aid family centers in Chicago . Additional clothing will subsequently be delivered to additional Children’s Home & Aid centers throughout Illinois including Carpentersville, Schaumburg, Palatine, Evanston , Bloomington , and Rockford . Children’s Home & Aid staff members will distribute the clothing where the needs are greatest, via all their centers throughout the state.

Merlin has been partnered with Children’s Home & Aid for the past fourteen years. The partnership is beneficial to both organizations because Merlin has the means to collect a large quantity of clothing, and Children’s Home & Aid distributes the clothing to those children and families most in need. Founded in 1883, Children’s Home & Aid continues a mission of giving help, hope, and opportunity to children with a variety of emotional, physical, and behavioral needs. Saving children’s lives, moving families forward, and going where the need is greatest, Children’s Home & Aid serves nearly 44,000 children and families throughout Illinois each year through services like adoption, foster care, child care, education, and counseling.

Snug Hugs for Kids started as a way for Merlin franchisees and employees to give something back to the communities that help their businesses. Over the years, the program has grown to include school groups and scout troops through a subsidiary program called Kids Helping Kids™, as well as the collection of hand-made items from talented knitters and crocheters through the Crochet & Knit-A-Thon™.

For more information about Snug Hugs for Kids or for a list of Merlin Muffler & Brake shops, log onto www.merlins.com or phone 630 208-9900.

Merlin Muffler & Brake shops offer a neighborhood approach to automotive repair and service. Founded in 1975, the company is ranked fifth among nationally franchised undercar service chains. Merlin’s is headquartered in Geneva , IL and has 70 shops in Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Texas, & Wisconsin.

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