COATS FOR THE COMMUNITY

By Kathy Ryan

The annual Coats for the Community coat drive was held on November 1st and 2nd at the Cohoes Senior Center.  The event received a bountiful array of donations, including sweatshirts, heavy sweaters, fleece, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens suitable for all ages.

The drive served approximately 190 households, providing winter attire for 223 adults and 105 children.  The overwhelming generosity of the community resulted in a surplus of donations.  These were distributed to Catholic Charities that serves the Hilltowns and rural Albany Diocese areas and Skylar Inn in Menands, which is a homeless shelter.  Additionally, Pastor Charlie of Victory Church in Albany will offer items to attendees of the Thanksgiving dinner he hosts for the homeless and those in need.  Finally, any remaining donations were contributed to our own ministries, Mary’s Corner and the Giving Room.

Our wonderful volunteers were instrumental in making this event a success. The Ladies of Charity, Waterford Women’s Club, and the students from the Academy of the Holy Names, Catholic Central High School and CBA all generously gave of their time.  The student volunteers were especially helpful, assisting shoppers and entertaining the young children while their parents shopped. 

I am deeply grateful to Trinity Church for storing our clothing racks, to Beth Slezak of the Senior Center for making the space so welcoming for our shoppers and my co-chair, Shelby Blendell, for her valuable contributions.  We will be meeting with Beth very soon to schedule a date for next year’s event.

Co-Chair Shelby Blendell