Tysons Galleria Launches Coat Drive With Art Installation

TYSONS, VA — Alongside holiday shopping season comes numerous efforts to help families in need. At Tysons Galleria, a coat drive and art installation benefiting Volunteers of America will provide coats for Northern Virginia families in need.

The coat drive, part of the Warm for the Winter initiative at Brookfield Properties' shopping centers, began on Nov. 20 and will run through Dec. 11. Shoppers can donate new coats, scarves and gloves at donation points in the mall.

"It has been a challenging year for so many and we are excited to be part of this initiative to support our local community,” said Rich Dinning, senior general manager at Tysons Galleria.

Volunteers of America is an Alexandria-based organization helping underserved individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has helped the hardest-hit individuals, such as low income seniors, veterans, at-risk youth and more.

"As one of the largest mall operators in the U.S., this partnership with Brookfield Properties is a natural fit for us,” said Mike King, CEO of Volunteers of America. "Our goal is to collect as many donations in as many communities as possible and we are able to maximize those efforts through their shopping centers across the country. We look forward to working with them in the coming weeks and look forward to the opportunity to give back to American families this holiday season."

Tysons Galleria partnered with Richmond-based artist Noah Scalin to design the art installation. Scalin will design more than 3,000 coats into a custom installation from Dec. 18 to 20 and put the installation on display through Dec. 31 before the items go to families.

His art is aimed at getting observers to recontextualize things in their lives that are taken for granted, overlooked or discarded. The Warm for the Winter art installation will depict two hands holding a candle, signifying the glow of warm clothing being donated and the use of candles among different cultures and religions during the holidays. The hands will represent people of all cultures, religions, and ethnicities as well as express giving and community.

Collection points for new coats, scarves and gloves are located near Maggiano’s, PF Chang’s and on the lower level near J.Crew. Donated items must be new due to COVID-19 restrictions.