New coats from a caring community

More than 1,200 City School District of Albany students will be a whole lot warmer this winter thanks to the generosity of the Albany community.

The City of Albany’s annual month-long Cash for Coats drive collected almost $25,000, enough to buy over 1,200 new coats and 3,500 hats and pairs of gloves that were distributed Tuesday at five district schools.

A news conference announcing the distribution was held the same day at Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST), one of the schools that received coats.

“We are so very grateful to all the people who opened up their hearts and their finances to donate despite the great difficulties so many people are facing because of COVID 19,” said Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams at the news conference announcing the coat distribution.

Now in its 13th year, the drive raises money during October and November that goes toward the purchase new coats and winter gear for students in need. Each year, B. Lodge and Co. offers a significant discount on any items purchased for Cash for Coats, maximizing the impact of each cash donation.

The lists of schools receiving coats rotates from year to year. In addition to TOAST, students at Arbor Hill Elementary School, Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy and Sheridan Preparatory Academy were given new coats and winter finery. New this year, students at Albany High School received coats, as well.

Also at Tuesday's news conference were Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Lodge's owners Jack and Mark Yonnally, United Way of the Capital Region CEO Peter Gannon, Albany Elks Lodge 49 Exalted Ruler Patty Lennox and Tom Burke of Burke Companies, a generous and longtime donors to the campaign.