Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik today launched the 13th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive today at City Hall by distributing coats to homeless men who are clients of the Bowery Mission. The Mayor, the Police Commissioner and Ariel Zwang, Executive Director of New York Cares, urged all New Yorkers to look into their closets and see what they can spare for the needy this winter.

The Coat Drive, which runs from December 1st - 31st, collects used, but wearable, coats throughout the Metropolitan area and distributes them to struggling men, women and children at homeless shelters, soup kitchens, community organizations, centers for battered women and agencies for senior citizens.

Last year, the Drive collected and distributed nearly 85,000 coats; this year, New York Cares hopes to collect and distribute 85,000 more.

"Since 1989 the New York Cares Coat Drive has done a remarkable job of reaching out to people in need," Mayor Giuliani said. "The people of New York City are proud of this coat drive, which last year alone, gave warmth to more than 85,000 New Yorkers in need. This is an affirmation of the spirit of the holidays and the spirit of New York City."

"The NYPD has been a proud sponsor of this program since it's inception, and we are very happy to join once again in urging all New Yorkers to contribute what they can to the drive," said Police Commissioner Kerik. "Anyone looking to contribute a coat can stop by their local precinct at anytime - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - and a police officer will be happy to assist you."

"Suffering through a New York winter without a coat can be brutal, and thousands of New Yorkers, including many children, do not have a coat to keep them warm," said Zwang. "Through this effort, we want people to recognize that they can help others immensely by simply by giving a coat."

To make donations easy, New York Cares has arranged for over 600 drop-off sites throughout the Metropolitan area.

• Any New York City Police Department Facility in the five boroughs at any time, day or night.
  
  
• NY Penn Station Amtrak concourse and LIRR level weekdays from 7:30 - 9:30AM.
  
  
• Grand Central Terminal weekdays from 7:30 - 9:30AM.
  
  
• The Community Resource Center at 75 Rockefeller Plaza (in the lobby of the Time Warner building, 51st Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues) weekdays from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
  
  
• Participating Blockbuster Video Stores in New York and New Jersey.
  
  
• Participating Walgreen's in New York City, Long Island, Westchester and New Jersey.
  
  
• Participating Con Edison Business Offices in New York City.
  
  
• Participating Time Warner Cable Office Payment Centers in New York City.

Sponsors of The 13th Annual New York Cares Coat Drive are The AXA Foundation, United Parcel Service (UPS), the New York Police Department, WNBC-TV, J. Walter Thompson, Blockbuster, MovieFone, and the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). New York Cares also partners with Jersey Cares on the Coat Drive to expand the program across the river.

The AXA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AXA Financial, Inc., is a third time sponsor and major contributor to New York Cares. "This is a cause that supports a most urgent need - - the need for protection from the extreme cold during New York winters" said Kathleen Carlson, President of the AXA Foundation. "All New Yorkers can relate to the severe temperatures. We anticipate another strong collection effort."

Founded in 1987, New York Cares mobilizes thousands of volunteers each month to serve on team projects that are coordinated in partnership with schools, social service agencies, and environmental groups. New York Cares volunteers tutor children, feed the hungry, assist people living with HIV/AIDS, revitalize gardens, take homeless children on cultural and recreational outings, bridge the Digital Divide, visit the elderly and do so much more.

For additional information regarding Coat Drive drop-off sites call: (212) 598-5800 or visit www.nycares.org

www.nyc.gov