New York Cares Coat Drive Begins Earlier to Help Sandy Survivors

New York Cares is holding its 24th annual coat drive through Dec. 31 at locations throughout the city to provide warm outer ware to New Yorkers in need.

"The New York Cares Coat Drive is more important than ever in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy," the organization's website says. "We are aiming to collect a record 200,000 coats this year, and we need 50,000 coats immediately to distribute to New Yorkers in Staten Island, the Rockaways and other hard-hit areas."

Those interested in giving a coat have many outlets to choose to donate to. Coats can be brought to NYPD Precincts, certain public libraries and the New York Cares Warehouse, located at 157 West 31st St. between 6th and 7th Avenues. The warehouse is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. 

Coats can also be brought to the home of Ditmas Parker Ute Van Sitteren who is collected coats on her porch at 555 Arygle Road between Newkirk and Ditmas Avenues. 

Volunteers can also help with the drive by collecting coats, helping to sort them or donating to the drive. For more information, see the coat drive website,   email info@newyorkcares.org or call 212-228-5000.