Representatives from Long Island charities received thousands of warm winter coats at North Bay Cadillac in Great Neck as part of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association’s annual coat drive.
Automobile dealers across Long Island raised more than $85,000 for brand-new coats to give to local area children. The event was held in conjunction with Operation Warm, a national non-profit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need.
Representatives from some of the charities who received coats attended the event, including Darlene Allen, of Mildred W. Fairclough Foundation); Kiora Johnson, of Blessings Plan; Sandrelys Almonte, of New Horizon Counseling Center; Wanda Simpkins, of Progressive Holiness Church; and Janine Davis, of Holiday’s Promise.
“Local area automobile dealers’ generosity and community spirit is well known, but the collective effort to raise money to help kids in need keep warm this winter has been extraordinary. It gives me great pride to lead the organization that represents them and to coordinate this effort on their behalf,” said Mark Schienberg, President of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.
“Giving back is a fundamental part of the Weidinger Auto Group philosophy and I am pleased to join other local area franchised new car dealers to provide brand-new warm winter coats to those who need them most. Covid has presented many challenges for families and if we can help make a difference in a kids life by giving them a warm coat we will,” said Jack Weidinger, president of Weidinger Auto Group.
Families throughout the region are in greater need than ever this winter because of the devastation of Covid-19. In fact, Operation Warm has received nearly triple the number of coat requests than ever before – and the number continues to grow with each passing day. That is why GNYADA teamed up with them to support New York children in need.
“We commend Long Island’s local franchised new car retailers for their incredible collective effort to provide thousands of new warm coats to children in need this winter. They have gone above and beyond to help those less fortunate in the communities in which they live and work,” said Operation Warm Executive Director, Grace Sica.
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