Warm Coats, Full Hearts: Woman Helps Needy To Honor Brother

NORTH FORK, NY — As the temperatures plunge, warm coats and hats for those that have none can mean simply everything.

Virginia Scudder, who works with students at the West Islip Students with Heartt and the newly formed North Fork Students with Heartt programs, spent the weeks leading up to the holidays this year collecting warm coats and hats to help those in need.

"While most of us are spending our Wednesday afternoons rushing from one activity to the next, fighting off traffic and taking the kids to extracurricular activities, some of us are hoping to spur those of us around town to donate — not just during the holidays," she said.

Scudder, who lives on the North Fork, is also the founder of The North Fork Country Kids : Rescue and Preservation Through Pedagogy, an animal rescue group. She dedicates her life to giving back — but this year, collecting the coats was even more meaningful. She embarked upon the mission of the heart as a way to honor her late brother, Frank Purita, the owner of D'Latte in Greenport, who died this year at 53 of bile duct cancer. "I wanted to honor my brother's name," she said. "He helped many."

Beginning in November, Scudder, along with Sonia Spar, co-chair of the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force, as well as kids from the North Fork Students with Heartt and the West Islip Students with Heartt community groups collected coats, outdoor wear, and diapers to distribute to those that need the items the most.

"The need is there throughout the year," Scudder said. "My good friend Sonia Spar helped to plan the evening."

Coats in hand, Scudder and volunteers headed to Saint Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport, where, every Wednesday, there is an open soup kitchen for all; no one is turned away.

"There is a great sense of community on the North Fork and also in my school district of West Islip," Scudder said. "It was amazing simply seeing the smile of a child or getting a handshake from a mother a father thanking us for a simple coat or hat."

Items including diapers for a baby or coats to keep people warm and protected, are gifts of love, Scudder said.

"This year we were blessed to get a donation of brand-new coats from a wonderful woman from West Islip," Scudder said, adding that more than 100 coats were distributed in Greenport and Riverhead.

"It means a lot for my students because they see what life can be like for some — and that becoming a member of the community is a lifelong lesson that sometimes brings growth and character building," she said. "They see firsthand the power of community service."

Reflecting, Scudder added: "This year, the coat drive meant so much to me. My brother loved his community of Greenport and he always was there to support his fellow North Forkers."

Scudder is also currently working to create a scholarship in her brother's name.