A trade association purchased 2,500 new coats for the YWCA and Westhab as a donation for those in
need.
Westhab shelter
resident Michelle Daniels proudly wears her new coat as a thank you to the
organization.
Daniels is a temporary resident at one of Westhab’s family
shelters. She is a mom of three
who’s jobless due to the pandemic and cannot afford new coats for her children.
“It means a lot
to you to have that coat on, to feel that warmth…and know that you’re not going
to be sick, that your kids are not going to be sick,” explains Daniels. “it's a
struggle, but it's going to get better.”
Ivan Smith is an
employee at Westhab and says people like Daniels are in greater need than ever
this season because of the pandemic.
“These coats are going to be helpful, especially during this health crisis,” says Smith.
The pandemic has
caused financial disparities, leaving a larger demand for coats. In fact, there
were more coat requests this winter than ever before.
The Greater New York Auto Dealers Association tells News 12 it's aiming to meet that demand. The
organization also raised $5,000
to acquire more.
The group partnered with Operation
Warm to identify the organization in need.
“We've been able to choose where the coats go and where the
need is the most,” says Jennifer German,
of Greater NY Auto Dealers Association.