There were 650 special surprises when students at Evans International Elementary School were called into their gymnasium the end of October.

Stacks and stacks of new winter coats awaited, one for every student in the D-49 school. It was each child’s choice: puffy white coat, bright blue ski coat, warm and fuzzy snow coat, pink princess style. There was almost anything a child could desire.

The hundreds of donated coats, still sporting store tags, had been brought to the ninth annual Koats 4 Kids benefit Oct. 9 at The Pinery at the Hill. Each year a different school is chosen as recipient.

In addition, $11,440 was raised for the Colorado Springs Conservatory Scholarship Fund.

More than 400 were on hand to enjoy the evening put together by committee members Caryn Becker, Tina Dewar, Ed Doerffel, founder Jen Furda, Sara Muirheid, Cathy Nelson, Courtney Olson, Maddy Mellini, Denise Schall, James Dodd, Tammy Mondragon and Joel Delagardelle.