New York Cares Coat Drive Kicks Off at Harlem School

New York Cares launched its annual Coat Drive on Tuesday at P.S. 161 in Harlem, one of the city's most recognisable community-service events marking the approach of winter. Students received new coats at the kickoff event, which also featured a visit from the FDNY mascot, Hot Dog. The Coat Drive is among New York's largest volunteer-led charitable initiatives: the organisation receives over 100,000 coat requests from New Yorkers in need each year and last season organised more than 750 collection sites across the five boroughs, distributing more than 52,000 coats to adults and children. Collection sites will operate through the coming weeks, accepting gently used or new coats citywide. The drive targets low-income New Yorkers — including children, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness — who otherwise could not afford adequate winter clothing. Volunteers and corporate sponsors play a central role in collecting, sorting, and distributing donations.