New York Cares Coat Drive Begins Earlier to Help Sandy Survivors

New York Cares is holding its 24th annual coat drive through Dec. 31 at locations throughout the city to provide warm outer ware to New Yorkers in need.

"The New York Cares Coat Drive is more important than ever in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy," the organization's website says. "We are aiming to collect a record 200,000 coats this year, and we need 50,000 coats immediately to distribute to New Yorkers in Staten Island, the Rockaways and other hard-hit areas."

Last year's warm weather led to only 78,000 coats being collected. This year, the organization hopes to collect 200,000 coats before the end of the year to fill the increased demand.

Coats can be brought to NYPD Precincts, any open Brooklyn Public Library location and the New York Cares Warehouse, located at 157 West 31st St. between 6th and 7th Avenues. The warehouse is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Volunteers can also help with the drive by collecting coats, helping to sort them or donating to the drive. For more information, see the coat drive website,   email info@newyorkcares.org or call 212-228-5000.