Karen Carns Foundation accepts letters of nomination from area teachers/advocates for students who are in need of the gift of a new winter coat. A shopping day is scjheduled in November at a local retailer. The teachers come and choose the coats for their nominated students, and the foundation pays for them. The retailer typically provides a discount on coat purchases and opens the store two hours early for the teacher-shoppers so that they are the only customers and can get assistance from the store staff.  Besides ensuring that needy children receive new winter coats, the intent of the program is to strengthen the bond between the student and the teacher/advocate by having the teacher submit a letter for each child, and by having the teacher pick out the coat for the student.