Washington Wizards All- Star forward Caron Butler partnered with Wal-Mart to provide 700 coats, hats and gloves to the students of Gilmore Middle School in his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin on Friday, September 21st at 9:00 a.m.

“This is a special program for me, and we are happy to return to my hometown to provide these youngsters with coats to prepare them for winter,” said Butler. “I look forward to visiting with the students at Gilmore Middle School, and I would also like to thank Wal-Mart for their continued support and tireless efforts to help the Coats for Kids Program.”

This marks the second year of the “Caron’s Coats for Kids” program, which was inaugurated in September 2006 when Butler purchased and distributed an assortment of 500 coats, hats, and gloves for the students of his alma mater, Mitchell Middle School. In the past year, the program has also distributed winter wear to students at the Moten Center in Washington, DC and collected coats for donation to the Salvation Army.

“Our school is very grateful for the generosity of Caron Butler,” said Gilmore Middle School Principal Richard Larson. “Not only will our students stay warm this winter, but they will have a great role model to look up to as well.”

“We are proud to once again partner with Caron’s Coats for Kids,” said Craig Brown, Store Manager at Mt. Pleasant Wal-Mart. “Wal-Mart is happy to be able to make a difference in the lives of the children in this community and we thank Caron for initiating this wonderful program.”