Volunteers & Coats
Since 1990 New York Cares has provided New Yorkers a place to turn to for Winter Warmth.
Every winter, the holiday spirit is inescapable. Beautiful Christmas lights glisten in front of every home and business. New York City blossoms with the giant tree in Rockefeller Center and glorious ball that drops at the year’s end.
Many people have extended vacation time to relax from school or work. Families get together in their heated homes and bond over hot chocolate while sitting in front of a lit-up pine tree with gifts sitting patiently under, waiting to be opened. Many people enjoy the peace and luxuries they have but do not consider others who share this same experience.
The number of people experiencing homelessness is forever increasing. While one family enjoys the holiday season in front of a fireplace, another sits on a sidewalk right outside, struggling to stay warm as Jack Frost nips at their nose.
Luckily, a caring group named New York Cares (pun intended) runs a Coat Drive every winter to help provide for those in need. I had the privilege of interviewing Davin Turkewitz, the Junior Copywriter on their Marketing & Communications team. You can read it below:
What inspired the start of this program (Coat Drive)?
We’ve run the Coat Drive for over 31 years. We believe, as always, that in the U.S., one of the wealthiest countries in the world, a coat should not be a luxury. No one should have to choose between necessities like groceries and power and a warm winter coat.
When did you realize the coat drive had the power to be a large-scaled way to help people?
Since Coat Drive began in 1990, we’ve known that there was a need to connect individuals and families with warm winter coats. COVID-19 magnified that need and inspired us to rethink how we connect with those vulnerable to cold, hunger, and many other pressing needs.
Has COVID-19 had any impact on the way the coat drive functions?
In response to the pandemic, we shifted the model dramatically in 2020 to ensure that we could both collect and distribute coats in a way that would keep our community partners, staff, coat donors, and coat recipients safe and healthy. This creative and necessary pivot allowed us to work more effectively with communities hit hardest by the pandemic and make donors’ dollars go further. In 2021, we continue to grow our community-based model.
How can people get coats?
If you are an individual in need of a coat, please visit one of our “walk-in” sites.
How can people donate coats?
Donating a new or gently used new coat is easier than ever, and you can use our Coat Drive drop-off map to find a site convenient for you. When individuals donate $25 dollars, we can stretch their dollar further to purchase a new coat, in addition to providing 10 meals to someone in need.
What is the process if someone wants to volunteer their time?
Many of our volunteers have told us that volunteering with us has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of their lives, and we would welcome you to our ranks! To get started, please visit our website to learn more and get started on an easy and informative orientation.
What is your favorite self-care activity in the winter?
When it’s beautiful outside, our staff members say they love to go for a walk in the park, stretch and exercise, and play with pets. Nothing beats a podcast in bed with the heat cranked up to eleven on sleepy days. Also, have you heard of this thing called Netflix?
Justin Abisror is a Communications Associate volunteer at helpNYC and attends Long Island University at Post studying Business. He strives to help as many people as he can in both his personal and professional life. From experience working with the elderly population and food delivery, Justin is always searching for new ways to lend a helping hand. From creating music projects to helping neighbors and friends with tasks, he tries to give back to society in numerous ways.
