By East Elmhurst, NY — Today, State Senator Jose Peralta, in coordination with sponsors, donated more than 1,600 winter coats to families and individuals in need as part of the Senator’s annual coat drive. The jackets will now be distributed by several local- and faith-based organizations.
Senator Peralta teamed up with Burlington Coat Factory, Delivering Good, Delta Airlines and New York Cares to ensure the coat drive was a reality one more year. As it occurred in the past few years, the annual coat drive took place in Senator Peralta’s district office, located in East Elmhurst. The Senator’s inaugural coat drive dates back to 2011, when about 250 winter jackets were given. Now, the initiative is in full drive. For the past eight years, more than 10,000 coats were distributed to people in need.
“Sadly, some hard-working families and neighbors cannot afford to buy winter coats as they struggle to make ends meet, this is why it is very important to me we ensure they can keep warm during the harsh winter months,” said Senator Peralta, who organized the first coat drive in 2011. “Every year we are able to donate winter coats to those who need them, and this is possible thanks to the cooperation of our co-sponsors, in this case, Burlington, Delivering Good, Delta Airlines and New York Cares. They are the ones that make this possible winter after winter,” said Senator Peralta.
“Delta is proud to participate in Senator Peralta’s annual coat drive for the 10th straight year,” said Ginny Elliott, Delta’s managing director for LGA operations. “This year, our LaGuardia Airport employees donated 250 coats to organizations and individuals in need. We are honored to give back to communities in which we live, work, and serve.”
“We are immensely grateful for partners like Senator Peralta whose collection efforts mirror that of the New York Cares Annual Coat Drive, now in its 29th year, but also for sharing the broader goal of providing quality education for all,” Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares said.
The organizations receiving winter jackets were Acacia Network Shelter, ACS, An Angel in Queens Foundation, Catholic Charities, Camba, Voces Latinas, Muhammadi Center of Jackson Heights, Encarnacion Little League, Sherwood Village Tenants Association, Kings Inn and The Landing shelters, Corona Self-Help, Dominico-American Society, Community partnership, Community United Methodist Church, Corona Ambulance, Elmcor Youth and Activities Center, Emerald Isle, Father Billini Association, LACA State of New York, NAACP Corona East Elmhurst, Saint Mark AME and Woodside on the Move.
Joanne M. Oplustil, CAMBA’s President and CEO, said: “Families who are living in shelter rarely have the funds to purchase coats that will keep themselves and their children warm throughout these cold months, but thanks to Senator Jose Peralta, parents and children at the Kings Inn and the Landing Family Shelter will be provided for this winter. CAMBA is grateful to be included among the recipients of the Senator’s thoughtful Coat Giveaway.”
“This is about more than just winter coats. This is an act of solidarity and sends a clear message of support to survivors of intimate violence and their children. Thank you, Senator Peralta,” said Kelly Guajardo, Communications Manager for the Violence Intervention Program.
“With the brutally cold weather we have been having, Elmcor’s families have benefited from several coat drives earlier in the season. We constantly have families coming to our food pantry; recovery, youth and seniors programs that are still in need of coats and Senator Peralta’s Annual Coat Dive Give-a-Way will allow us to continue to address this critical need for coats throughout the remainder of this winter season,” said Saeeda Dunston, Executive Director of Elmcor Youth and Activities, Inc.
“EIIC wishes to thank Senator Peralta and the Burlington Coat Factory for their donation. These coats are going to be distributed to low income individuals, seniors and other needy members of the community,” Siobhan Dennehy, Executive Director of Emerald Isle Immigration Center, said.
“I would like to thank Senator Peralta for your sincere and serious work for the people of your district. On behalf of pour Muslim community Of Jackson Heights, appreciate your turkey, toy and winter coat drives to help needy member and families of our community,” said Iman Qazi Qayyoom, a Jackson Heights community leader.
“Over the last three years the Elmhurst Community Partnership has been able to provide coats for more than 300 vulnerable families from our community. The Elmhurst Community Partnership is grateful to Senator Peralta for his continued support to the wellbeing of families in our community,” said The Elmhurst Community Partnership.
“It’s a great day when we can come together in this way to help struggling families make ends meet. Many of our clients are low-income residents from the Senator’s district facing economic hardships and lack of affordable housing. This event ensures that those in need will stay warm these coming months and we look forward to working with the Senator as he continues to serve our brothers and sisters in his senatorial district and the larger community,” said Msgr. Alfred LoPinto, President and CEO of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.
“We want to thank the New York State Senator Jose Peralta office in organizing this event and inviting the Dominico-American Society of Queens to take part. The coat drive is a reminder that many people are still in need of much-needed resources to stay warm during these cold winter months and it is a good way to provide to those who need it most. We will continue working with all elected officials in bringing much-needed resources to the low income families in our communities,” said Jose Tejada, Executive Director of the Dominico-American Society.
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