COATS FOR THE COMMUNITY A SUCCESS

By Kathy Ryan and Shelby Blendell

Our annual Coats for the Community coat drive took place at the Cohoes Senior Center the weekend of October 21 and 22. All donated items were sorted and organized by volunteers from the Ladies of Charity and All Saints parish. The items received were in very good condition, some that had never been worn on which the tags were still in place. In addition to coats, we received hats, gloves, sweatshirts, light weight jackets, vests, sweaters, snow pants, socks and boots. There was an excellent selection for our clientele.

The doors opened on Friday afternoon. All shoppers were assisted by Ladies of Charity as well as the Junior Ladies from the Academy of the Holy Names. In all, 193 households were served. This included 238 adults and 148 children. Any remaining donations were distributed to others in need such as Mary’s Corner, the Giving Room, Watervliet Elementary School, and refugee organizations in Albany and Amsterdam. Pastor Charlie from the South End will be distributing donations at their Thanksgiving dinner. Whatever is left from that will be shipped overseas to the Ukraine.

It was such a gift to have seen how many people will be bundled up and warm this winter season.