At a time when the city, its neighborhoods, and its citizens are facing unprecedented and profound challenges, New York Cares, New York City’s leading volunteer organization.
Today announced that it raised over $870,000 toward the purchase of more than 52,000 brand-new warm winter coats and collected over 10,000 gently-used coats during its 32nd Annual Coat Drive.
Ten thousand of the collected coats were donated directly to New York City Community Schools, for students and families in need.
With critical support from its community partner organizations and the generosity of corporate and individual donors, New York Cares provided warmth to some of the city’s most vulnerable populations in public schools, housing shelters, community centers, and social service agencies.
“Since the pandemic began, thousands of New Yorkers are experiencing hunger, unemployment and illness, while struggling to fulfill basic needs like food and warm clothing. It’s our duty to provide warmth for students, families and seniors who are without protection from the cold every day,” said New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley. “We are humbled by the generous donations from the individuals and organizations that are committed to helping New York Cares support our neighbors through this dark winter in our city.”
To accommodate social distancing and health guidelines, New York Cares shifted its coat drive model from organizing traditional coat collection locations to focusing on fundraising – and safety. Many organizations and individuals created virtual coat collections, which were shared with other supporters through email and social media.
Every $20 donation purchased a brand new high-quality coat, which was distributed directly to community partners. Limited coat drop-off locations were still available throughout the five boroughs and included new dry-cleaning regulations.
New York Cares has distributed coats to community partners throughout the five boroughs, focused on areas like Central Queens, East Brooklyn, and the South Bronx, which have been heavily impacted by COVID-19.
Some of their coat distribution partners include Union Settlement in Manhattan, Together We Can in Queens, Mott Haven Community Partnership in the Bronx, Kingdom Church Love Fellowship in Brooklyn, and the Staten Island Community Partnership.
“Union Settlement is thankful for the opportunity to partner with New York Cares this year as the Manhattan distributor,” said Kristine Cooper, Director of Development & Communication at Union Settlement. “We are proud to be able to distribute coats to our fellow Settlement Houses partners, our participants, and other organizations throughout New York City.
The need is so much greater this year as the pandemic continues to devastate communities and we are happy to provide relief with a warm coat.”
In total, 12,979 coats were distributed to those in need in Manhattan alone, the largest number of any borough. In the Bronx, agencies received 11,779 coats, and in Queens, agencies received 10,620 coats.
In total, 12,979 coats were distributed to those in need in Manhattan alone, the largest number of any borough. In the Bronx, agencies received 11,779 coats, and in Queens, agencies received 10,620 coats.
Approximately 10,454 coats were distributed to agencies in Brooklyn, 2,989 coats were distributed to agencies in Staten Island and 14,000 coats were distributed to partner agencies throughout the NYC Metro area.
Approximately 10,454 coats were distributed to agencies in Brooklyn, 2,989 coats were distributed to agencies in Staten Island and 14,000 coats were distributed to partner agencies throughout the NYC Metro area.
The 32nd Annual New York Cares Coat Drive was made possible by Bank of America, Sidley Austin LLP, PJT Partners, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Mets Foundation, Evercore Volunteers, the Diane and Dorothy Brooks Foundation, The Amine Family, and the Ehrenkranz Family.
For the last 32 years, New York Cares has enabled hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to perform acts of warmth – small, seemingly simple good deeds that in fact, yield a massive impact.
Since 1989, the New York Cares Coat Drive has collected over two million winter coats for men, women, and children throughout the city.
For more information on other ways to help keep New Yorkers warm, visit newyorkcares.org/coat-drive.
New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, more than 52,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at nearly 1,100 nonprofits and schools – improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces.
New York Cares is the largest volunteer network in the city. Last year, more than 52,000 New Yorkers made the city a better place by volunteering in New York Cares programs at nearly 1,100 nonprofits and schools – improving education, meeting immediate needs, and revitalizing public spaces.
For more information, visit newyorkcares.org.
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