Athene USA (“Athene”), a leading provider of retirement savings products, donated winter clothing essentials to nearly 1,500 children at Cattell, McKinley, Howe and Studebaker elementary schools through its annual Coats & Boots program.
Now in its 28th year, Coats & Boots originally started as a relief effort to provide support to victims of the 1993 floods. The program has evolved into a legacy program that has supplied coats and boots to an estimated 17,000 students in Central Iowa.
“Athene’s corporate giving philosophy is rooted in actively engaging in our communities to make an impact,” said Kristi Kaye Burma, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Athene USA. “Coats & Boots was started 28 years ago during a time when our community was in great need and navigating massive uncertainty following the Floods of ‘93. As children in Des Moines endure another school year filled with change and uncertainty, Athene is proud to be a small source of security by providing a warm coat and pair of boots to every child at four local schools. Despite the ongoing challenges being faced, the need for warm coats and boots for children remains the same and we are proud to continue our legacy of supporting four local elementary schools through Coats & Boots.”
The program focuses its support on four Des Moines metro schools who have the greatest population of students in need by equipping them with a new winter coat and pair of snow boots to be better prepared for Iowa’s harsh winters.
“The Coats and Boots program has a tremendous impact on our kids and their families," said Sarah Grady, principal at McKinley Elementary School. "Knowing they will be able to count on a coat that fits and warm boots so they can get outside and play this winter is such a comfort. As always, we are very grateful to Athene and their employees for the generous donation of both the winter gear and the time spent volunteering at our schools.”
Coats & Boots is Athene’s signature giving program, and more than 180 employee volunteers helped to make this year's program a success. In addition to the winter clothing donated to the four Des Moines schools, Athene will also donate roughly 200 coats and boots to West Des Moines Human Services Clothing Closet, where they will be available at no cost to families in need. The coats and boots are provided by the Athene USA Charitable Foundation with the support of JC Penney and Shoe Carnival.
About Athene
Athene, through its subsidiaries, is a leading retirement services company with total assets of $224.4 billion as of September 30, 2021 and operations in the United States, Bermuda, and Canada. Athene specializes in helping its customers achieve financial security and is a solutions provider to institutions. Founded in 2009, Athene is Driven to Do More for our policyholders, business partners, shareholders, and the communities in which we work and live. For more information, please visit www.athene.com.
About Des Moines Public Schools
Des Moines Public Schools has been educating the students of Iowa’s capitol city since 1908. With more than 32,000 students DMPS is the largest provider of PK-12 education in the state, and with nearly 5,000 staff members one of the largest employers in central Iowa. DMPS offers access at more than 60 school buildings to a world-class education – with programs including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Skilled Trades, and much more – for students who come to our community from over 100 nations around the world. Learn more about DMPS and how it is becoming the model for urban education at www.dmschools.org.