Local Thomas Kinkade Galleries Are Collecting and Distributing Coats to Los Angeles Homeless Men, Women and Children

Contact: Leah Holiman of Carl Terzian Associates, 310-207-3361, 602-330-1219 cell, leah.holiman@carlterzianpr.com, for Union Rescue Mission

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 29 /Standard Newswire/ -- To support and assist the collecting of coats to warm the homeless of Los Angeles this winter, Thomas Kinkade will be appearing at three local galleries this Saturday, December 2.

  Mr. Kinkade will appear at the following times and locations:

• Signature Gallery, Galleria Tyler, in Riverside - 11:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m.
  
  
• Masterpiece Gallery, Montclair Plaza, in Montclair - 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  
  
• The Valencia Gallery, Town Center, in Valencia - 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

All 20 of Thomas Kinkade Company's Southern California galleries began collecting new and gently used coats Friday, November 24 in partnership with Union Rescue Mission (URM), and will continue collecting them through December 10.

The Thomas Kinkade Company is collecting the donated coats through its Giving Thanks by Giving Back program to warm the Los Angeles area homeless through the winter. The coats will be distributed to men, women and children beginning on Thursday, December 14th at URM's annual Christmas Store.

Individuals who bring a new or used coat to participating Thomas Kinkade galleries will receive a free copy of the book "The Art of Creative Living" by Thomas Kinkade (a $19.99 retail value) and a redemption certificate good for $100 off the cost of a frame for a limited edition Thomas Kinkade canvas.

"We are encouraging everyone to share the light of warmth this holiday season by giving a new or used coat to a homeless Los Angeles family," says Thomas Kinkade.

"We are delighted to be partnering with the Thomas Kinkade Company on this coat drive. This time of year, many homeless people migrate from colder areas because of our warmer climate, so demand for food, clothes and shelter increases," says Andy Bales, President of the Union Rescue Mission. "When temperatures drop into the 40's and 50's -- warm clothes are essential for Los Angeles' homeless."

Los Angeles area drop off locations include Thomas Kinkade galleries in Valencia, Thousand Oaks, Long Beach, Chino, Montclair, Brea, Beverly Hills, Torrance, Monrovia, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo, Riverside, Irvine, Santa Ana, Lake Arrowhead and Palmdale.

The Thomas Kinkade Company publishes the work of Thomas Kinkade and distributes his art and related collectibles through independently owned galleries worldwide, an extensive network of branded and licensed dealers, and strategic marketing relationships with more than 70 licensees. The company's primary products are canvas and paper reproductions that feature Mr. Kinkade's artistic unique use of light and his peaceful and inspiring themes. Mr. Kinkade, known as the "Painter of Light(TM)," is the most successful and most collected living artist in U.S. history. For more information, please visit the Company's web site at www.thomaskinkade.com.

Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing, medical, and dental care, Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit www.unionrescuemission.org.