Warm-Hearted Westhampton Teen Collects Clothing To Protect Homeless From Cold

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — One warm-hearted Westhampton Beach teen has worked tirelessly to protect the homeless from plunging temperatures.

Westhampton Beach High School junior Grace O’Hare has collected more than 100 new, warm clothing items for Maureen’s Haven — a local organization that provides food and shelter to the area's homeless at local houses of worship — and the Family Service League through a fundraiser she conceived called “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.”

She asked students to donate new sweatshirts, T-shirts, hats, socks, gloves and scarves, and also held bake sales to raise money to purchase other items.

The caring teen said she got the idea for the project after helping her mom with a toy drive for community members in need during the holiday season.

“I felt that if they don’t have enough money for toys, then they don’t have enough for warm clothes either,” she said.

O’Hare, who is a member of her school’s Rotary/Interact Club, said she plans to continue the fundraiser next winter.

Photo courtesy of the Westhampton Beach School District.