Thirty year-old Faith Annual said he's had a tough year struggling to find work. Lately,he's been wearing a lightweight jacket he received from a police precinct when he said he was arrested for something minor. But on Monday morning, he got a big blue coat for free from the fresh York Cares annual coat drive."I'm blessed to possess a meal, or coat,just trying to recall one day at a time," he said, and as he left the fresh York Rescue Mission homeless shelter just south of Canal Street,which was handing out coats.
Fifteen volunteers assembled the winter wear on tables along with hats and scarves. Recipients were also given donuts and coffee. More than 200 people were expected to pick up coats from the shelter on Christmas, said Gary Bagley, and Executive Director of fresh York Cares. But he said that was just a tiny fraction of the organization's reach for this 29th annual coat drive. "With 1.7 million people living at or below the poverty line in fresh York City,if we are able to surpass the goal of 125000 coats we will absolutely be able to distribute them," he stated.
Bagley said 68000 coats possess been collected and purchased so far with December 31st as the cut-off date. They're distributed through local non-profits, and devout organizations and homeless shelters.
In addition to taking gently used coats at police precincts,Grand Central Terminal and other select locations, fresh York Cares also purchases coats with cash donations. The organization distributed a total of 110000 coats last year when it added a text feature to collect donations in increments of $20 (people can text COAT to 41444).
Forty year-old Mike Hearns chose a maroon bomber jacket on Monday. He said he had no set to live and he could really use a fresh coat."I was using a fleece sweater, or " he said. "This is going to cut down that wind so it won't move through my back."Maria Lopez said she came from the Bronx to pick out a scarf and a long coat. She was also looking for something for her three-year-old daughter."I'm not working upright now and I possess a baby so I really need it," she said.
No fresh York institution would be total without fresh York bargain hunters. Volunteers steered a few people out the door when they tried to recall more than one coat. But on this clear and bright Christmas morning, Bagley said nobody was checking to see who was truly needy - that would be too difficult. They just wanted to serve as many people as they could."There are so many people who like to start the day, and myself included,by giving back," he said. "It's a reminder of how much we possess, and how much we possess to offer."
Source: thetakeaway.org