Cold Weather Forces Emergency Appeal for Coats to Keep Homeless Children Warm.

Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles and San Diego Rescue Mission Partner with Thomas Kinkade Company to Collect Coats Throughout Southern California

LOS ANGELES & SAN DIEGO -- As cold temperatures in Southern California reach record lows, the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles and

"Our Nueva Vida Haven shelter for women and children has been at or near capacity over these extremely cold nights. We have noticed a shortage of warm coats for homeless children aged 18 months to 10 years old," said Herb Johnson, president & CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission. "The Thomas Kinkade coat drive could not come at a more perfect time with the onset of cold winter weather."

"We at Union Rescue Mission have received urgent requests from our staff working with children and youth for warm coats and jackets over the last several days," said Andy Bales, president of the Union Rescue Mission of Los Angeles. "We are very grateful for the generous donations made through the Thomas Kinkade galleries that are helping to keep the homeless children of Los Angeles warm this holiday season."

To support and assist in the coat collection, 20 of Thomas Kinkade Company's Southern California galleries are collecting new and gently used coats. 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. San Diego locations include Temecula and San Diego.

To highlight the urgency of the need, Thomas Kinkade himself will appear at four local galleries this Saturday, December 2:

* Fashion Valley Gallery, San Diego - 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

* Signature Gallery, Galleria Tyler, Riverside - 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

* Masterpiece Gallery, Montclair Plaza, Montclair - 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

* The Valencia Gallery, Town Center, Valencia - 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

As further incentive for people to donate coats, participating Thomas Kinkade galleries will give out 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 to each person who donates a coat. A list of participating galleries follows:

Valencia
The Valencia Gallery
24250 Town Center Drive Suite 120
Valencia, California 91355-4590

Thousand Oaks
The Oaks Gallery
476 W Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, California 91360-78770

Long Beach
Thomas Kinkade Towne Center
7557 Carson Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90808

Queen Mary Signature Gallery
1126 Queen's Hwy
Long Beach, California 90802-6331

Chino
Masterpiece Gallery
4029 Grand Ave., Ste. C
Chino, California 91710-5494

Montclair
Masterpiece Gallery
5019 Montclair Plaza Lane
Montclair, California 91763-1519

Brea
Thomas Kinkade Village Gallery at Brea Mall
1046 Brea Mall Way
Brea, California 92821

Beverly Hills
Village Gallery
458 N Rodeo Drive
Beverly Hills, California 90210-4502

Torrance
Village Gallery at Del Amo/Torrance
3525 W. Carson Street
Torrance, California 90503

Monrovia
House of Windsor
526 S. Myrtle Avenue
Monrovia, California 91016-2814

Palmdale
Enchanted Presence
Antelope Valley Mall
1233 W. Rancho Vista Blvd. #201
Palmdale, California 93551

Laguna Beach
Village Gallery-Laguna Beach
502 South Pacific Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, California 92651-2406

Mission Viejo
Village Gallery Thomas Kinkade - The Shops at Mission Viejo
280 The Shops at Mission Viejo
Mission Viejo, California 92691

San Diego
Fashion Valley Gallery
7007 Friars Rd. #658
San Diego, California 92108-1148

Temecula
Temecula Lamplight Gallery
40820 Winchester Road Space #1530
Temecula, California 92591

Riverside
Signature Gallery Tyler
Lamplight Gallery Thomas Kinkade Signature Gallery
2166 Galleria At Tyler
Riverside, CA 92503-4146

Irvine
Village Gallery Thomas Kinkade at the Irvine Spectrum
Irvine Spectrum
71 Fortune Drive, Ste. 852
Irvine, California 92618

Santa Ana
Village Gallery / Main Place Santa Ana
2800 North Main Street, Ste 184-186
Santa Ana, California 92707-6607

Palm Springs
Palm Springs Gallery
245 S Palm Canyon Dr., Ste. A-3
Palm Springs, California 92262

Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead Village Gallery
28200 Hwy 189, Suite E100
Lake Arrowhead, California 92352

ABOUT THE THOMAS KINKADE COMPANY

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.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION

Every day, the lives of homeless men, women, and children are changed at the San Diego Rescue Mission. The Mission's long-term programs provide the physical necessities, vocational training, and spiritual encouragement needed to truly turn their lives around. The San Diego Rescue Mission prepares nearly 350,000 free meals and provides over 120,000 free nights of shelter each year, serving thousands of San Diego's homeless. For more information, visit www.sdrescue.org.

ABOUT THE UNION RESCUE MISSION

The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a nonprofit 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. The URM provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services to our guests, including: food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to needy men, women, children, and families.