The Angels of Long Island have spent the last few months gathering as many coats as they can, but they still need your help.
The East Patchogue thrift and community outreach store is known to help local residents no matter how dire the situation is, with no questions asked.
Founder Debbie Loesch said that last year they gave away over 500 coats, and as of right now they’re already beating that record.
“Unfortunately the need for coats, hats, scarves, gloves and blankets has increased since last year,” she said. “We take it for granted, the warmth, so it’s good to be able to help others.”
Right now in the back of her store, she has close to 1,000 coats, blankets and accessories, but she is asking for people to keep donating.
“The more we can collect, the more people we can help,” she said.
The group will accept donations until the actual day where they rope off their parking lot and hand everything out. Every year on the first Saturday of December, the angels spend their afternoon helping out people who need it — this week’s event will start at noon and end at 4 p.m. on Dec. 7.
Loesch said the only requirement to get a coat, scarf or blanket is for the person receiving the item to be present, kids included.
All leftover coats will be donated to local school districts including Hampton Bays, South Country, Patchogue-Medford and Sachem schools.
She added that people from all over Long Island have been generously donating coats of all shapes and sizes, but she’s hoping more can help out.
“We have a lot of woman’s coats, but we could use more kids and men’s coats,” she said. “Scarves, blankets, hats… whatever we can get to help people stay warm this upcoming winter will help.”
If you have extra coats and accessories, Loesch said that you could drop them off at her store located at 350 East Main Street in East Patchogue.
Top: Winter coats being collected at Angels of Long Island (courtesy).
