New Jersey: Rockland County Legislator Aney Paul has partnered with People to People to conduct a Winter Coat Drive for the benefit of our neighbors.
New or gently-used coats for children and adults are being accepted until Dec. 20. Drop off donations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the Legislature’s Office in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City.
People to People is Rockland’s largest food pantry and also provides school supplies; holiday gifts for children; and clothing for newborns, school children, professionals seeking jobs and others.
The agency provided assistance to nearly 14,000 Rockland households last year and uses 35 percent of all funds donated and collected to services; only 7 percent is used for overhead expenses, People to People’s Executive Director, Diane Serratore, said.
“The single mother, the senior citizen, the veteran who comes to People to People – they all could be someone you know,” Serratore said. “Life’s circumstances can change quickly – the loss of a job, the sudden death of a spouse, a tragic accident – can cause a drastic change in one’s ability to put food on the table and make ends meet.”
According to Serratore, many children and adults who use People to People’s services simply don’t have adequate winter clothing, including winter coats. Hats, gloves and scarves will also be accepted as part of this year’s Winter Coat Drive.
Legislator Paul has sponsored a Winter Coat Drive annually since 2015, partnering with local social services agencies assisting Rockland County residents, including Catholic Charities Community Services of Rockland and Helping Hands of Rockland, as well as People to People.
“Providing a winter coat to our neighbors keeps them warm and just as importantly, it lets them know that others are thinking about them and trying to help,” Legislator Paul said. “Please check your closets and donate any warm coats you can so we can help out as many people as possible.”
