Blue Ridge Communications brought out hundreds of coats and some holiday cheer to children in need throughout Carbon County on Friday afternoon.

“We love to help out the community, and this is the first year where we have done something like this on such a grand scale,” Blue Ridge marketing and public relations coordinator Julianne Brixius said. “It was a way for us to get the community involved, so our customers were involved, because when they bundled, we donated a coat. It was a great way to get the community involved to help out other people who might need a little extra help, especially around the holiday season.”

As part of a special promotion throughout November, for each customer who chose to “bundle” their Blue Ridge services — adding Internet to their cable account, etc. — the company would donate one winter coat.

“We asked them to do 1,000,” Blue Ridge sales coach Pattie Rauch said. “They really blew that number out of the water.”

Around 500 coats were set up at St. Peter’s Community Resource Center in Weissport, where families and charitable groups in need could select from sizes ranging from toddler to young adult, with a variety of colors and styles. Another 500 coats will go to the Stroudsburg area.

“It’s a good program for kids who need coats. Ours needed them desperately,” Veronica Sakik, who brought her children Annalies, Christina and Carlos, said. “We’re really happy.”

Browsing through a variety of puffy, cozy selections, Christina’s eyes lit up when she found a shiny olive-colored coat, exactly what she wanted and needed.

“It’s nice and warm,” Christina said. “And it’s a beautiful color!”