Kenosha 11-year-old collects coats to protect others from Wisconsin winters

KENOSHA, Wis (CBS 58) -- While most kids are focused on school and friends at 11 years old, one Kenosha kid is thinking about something bigger, making sure no one in her community is left in the cold.

On a snowy weekend afternoon, Smar-tea's Sweets and Treats in Kenosha transformed into Aviana's kids' coat drive.

"Kids are coming in with no coat shoes or socks and we've been helping them out

"Theres coats for adult men and women there's infant coats almost like extra large coats for any gender any size we have it all," said Aviana Winberg, Aviana's Kids' Coat Drive founder.

At just 11 years old Aviana Winberg is on mission.

"It all started with kids karaoke I did it every first Sunday of the month and I really enjoyed being with the community hanging out with the kids helping them boost their confidence so I thought to myself how can I get more involved in the community," Aviana explained. "I thought maybe like a toy drive but then I thought how about a coat drive people are very in need. It's very cold here in Wisconsin so I thought coats for kids warmth for all."

Owner of Smar-tea's Sweets and Treats, Martha Perez, started the coat drive five years ago but when she met Aviana, she knew she would be the perfect person to take it over.

"I gave it to her to take over. She's so outgoing she loves everybody," said Perez.

This is her second year running the drive in her hometown.

"She is out there every day promoting herself promoting the need for coats trying to get it out there," said Barb Winberg, Aviana's grandmother.

Her grandmother, Barb Winberg, says she's amazed by how she's grown the coat drive.

"Just how much she collected last year, she collected about $1,500. This year she topped over $3,000 and just went out bought the coats, and that was just monetary. It doesn't count for all the people that have given used and slightly used coats and hats," said Winberg.

Winberg says this year Aviana collected around 500 coats.

"Even though the weather is very bad right now we've had a lot of people come in that are really in need of coats and we have gotten rid of almost half of our coats," said Aviana.

For some families her coat drive couldn't have come at a better time.

"We had a family today that they had a house fire and we were able to give them all coats, hats gloves mittens it's been great," said Winberg.

Right now, she has six of the 10 donation boxes up around Kenosha.

"If I say it, I'll cry it fills my heart. It really does. I'm so proud of her. I couldn't be more proud." said Winberg.

Aviana says she hopes to continue to grow, so no one is left in the cold.

"I just wanted to find ways to help out," said Aviana.