State Sen. Weber holds coat drive to give back to the community
The event started at the beginning of November. So far, the community has stepped up in a huge way.
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Rockland County state Sen. Bill Weber’s annual coat drive is once again up and running.
The event started at the beginning of November. So far, the community has stepped up in a huge way.
Weber’s office in Rockland County is filled with dozens of garbage bags full of winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves and shoes.
Over the last two years, Weber says he’s collected and distributed over 2,800 pounds of gently used winter wear.
He says that based on how full his office is already, he expects to double what he did last year. He says it is all thanks to the community members.
“We’ve had an outpouring that we’ve never seen before and we’re only 10 days into our coat drive and we still have another month to go,” said Weber.
The drive started when one community organization realized just how many people in Rockland needed help finding winter outfits.
"At the time, I had a lot of people coming from Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala and other countries. I said, ‘You know what, most of these people here I know, they have nothing,’” explained Renold Julien, director of Konbit Neg Lakay.
The goal is simple - make sure everyone who needs a coat gets one.
"I really think it is important for someone to have a coat,” said Julien.
There are dozens of locations where you can drop off new or gently worn coats, gloves, hats and shoes, including the Finkelstein Memorial Library.
"It's been uplifting in a time where it's a little bit chaotic and could be a hard time for people,” said Maria Vanessa Cipolla.
The drive runs now until Dec. 15.
You can find more information and where to drop off any winter clothes by clicking here.
https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/2025/bill-weber/senator-bill-webers-winter-coat-drive
