Join the Independence Visitor Center Corporation for a Holiday Season of Giving

Philadelphia, PA, November 12, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Every winter, thousands of men, women, and children in the Greater Philadelphia region brave harsh winter conditions without a coat to keep warm. Recognizing this need, the Independence Visitor Center has partnered with One Warm Coat and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Family Center to host its annual Holiday Coat Drive, starting November 24, 2008 through January 2, 2009.

The Independence Visitor Center has made donating a coat easy. Visitors and residents are invited to drop off their “gently used” coats anytime during normal business hours between November 24th and January 3rd. Coats of all sizes are welcome, however, women’s and children's coats are greatly needed. All donated coats will be given to the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital’s Family Center for distribution to people in need. It’s a great way for everyone to join in the holiday spirit and help those in need make their winter a little warmer.

This is just one of many events taking place at the Independence Visitor Center this holiday season. Other activities include:

· “Top Ways to Entertain Out-of-Town Family”: Residents are asked to submit their favorite holiday photos and suggestions for how to spend the holiday season in Philadelphia and the surrounding counties to Holidays@IndependenceVisitorCenter.com . All of the ideas submitted will be featured in the special Holiday section of the Independence Visitor Center website, www.IndependenceVistorCenter.com/Holidays .
· Free Holiday Concerts: Throughout the month of December, visitors and residents are invited to enjoy the rich sound of the holidays as local choirs and musical groups perform live at the Visitor Center.
· Free Gift Wrapping: After a long day of holiday shopping, stop by Independence Visitor Center every Saturday throughout the holiday season for free gift wrapping.

All holiday events at the Visitor Center are free and open to the public. For more information about events at the Center, visit www.IndependenceVisitorCenter.com .

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The Independence Visitor Center, located at 6th & Market Streets, across from the Liberty Bell, provides the region’s best event and attraction information to visitors and locals alike about Independence National Historical Park, the City of Philadelphia and the countryside. Open daily at 8:30 a.m. seven days a week (with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day). For information, visit www.independencevisitorcenter.com or call 215.965.7676.

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