Aney Paul Starts Drive For Winter Outerwear, Blankets

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY —County Legislator Aney Paul has launched a Winter Hat, Gloves, Mittens, Scarves, Socks, and Blankets & Throws Drive, with donations going directly to People to People, one of Rockland’s busiest social service agencies.

The deadline is Dec. 8.

“If we want to warm our neighbors’ hearts this holiday season, we first have to warm their heads, hands and feet,” Paul said in a statement as the drive kicked off. “The pandemic has made life even more challenging for Rockland County families who were already struggling to make ends meet. Right now, there are parents, senior citizens, veterans and other individuals who may not have the resources to obtain winter gear that we take for granted."

This is part of People to People's annual holiday gift program, which is taking place in 2021 with some big changes.

Due to the challenges imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, instead of pairing volunteer families with wish lists from the 1,600 children it currently serves, People to People is working on a project it calls Comfort and Joy.

“As the weather gets colder, our hearts must get warmer,” People to People CEO Diane Serratore said. “That’s why People to People hopes to provide some comfort to struggling Rockland families by providing them with new blankets, hats, gloves, scarves and socks.”

Serratore, her staff and the volunteers who assist the organization are hoping to provide a blanket, throw, hat, gloves, scarf or socks along with a $35 gift card to each of the children, which they can use to purchase holiday gifts on their own. The nonprofit is raising $60,000 to purchase the cards and is relying on Comfort Collections to collect the blankets and cold weather clothing gear, with Paul, Rand Realty and the Town of Clarkstown already launching events to help.

Adults will also receive the cold-weather clothing.

People to People expects to distribute 1,600 Comfort Bags this holiday season, on Dec. 11 and 12. “All of us at People to People appreciate the support of Legislator Aney Paul during the holidays and always,” Serratore said. “We applaud Legislator Paul’s commitment to making our community a better place for everyone.”

New winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, neck warmers and socks for children and adults are being accepted until Dec. 8. Drop off donations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the Legislature’s Office in the Allison-Parris County Office Building, 11 New Hempstead Road in New City. Large or group donations can be picked up. Call to arrange a convenient time. For more information, please call (845) 638-5100.

People to People is Rockland’s largest food pantry, currently assisting 5,000 people a month. It also provides other programs, including Back to School with Dignity, which gives children from low-income families tools to be successful in school, and the Talk Turkey Program, which provides a family with a turkey and the trimmings so they may enjoy a holiday meal.

This drive is a return of sorts for Paul, who held gently-used and new winter coat drives from 2015 through 2019. As the pandemic raged in 2020, she instead collected food for local pantries. So far this year, she has organized drives for vital food and emergency medical items to benefit victims of the August earthquake in Haiti and in July, residents of the Kerala region of India, with that nation hard hit by the pandemic but short on any supplies.

“Each time, the residents and businesses of Rockland County made the effort a success, donating whatever they could to help others in need,” Paul said. “When we pool together our resources, we find we have enough to make a difference in the lives of those in need. I thank everyone who can help.”

Please note: Due to the pandemic, only donations of new clothing items will be accepted this year.