LI Cares to Begin Winter Coat Drive

Long Island Cares has announced the kickoff of its fifth annual Warm Hearts & Warm Coats Drive on Oct. 28.

The Hauppauge-based nonprofit organization is partnering with Burlington Coat Factory to collect coats for local men, women and children in need this upcoming winter.

"Our goal is to ensure that people that we serve on Long Island will have warm coats this winter. Along with the Burlington Coat Factory and the One Warm Coats campaign, Long Island Cares is committed to sharing the warmth with those in need during the cold winter months," said Elana Sissons, Food Drive Coordinator for Long Island Cares, in a statement.

Residents willing to donate to the coat drive can drop off gently used coats at one of five Burlington Coat locations in Garden City, Massapequa, Lawrence, Patchogue and the nearest in Lake Grove. 

Donated coats should be in good condition with no stains or rips, and the zippers and/or buttons in working condition. Donors will receive a voucher for 10 percent off a new coat at Burlington Coat Factory.

Last year, the Warm Coats & Warm Hearts campaign collected more than 250,000 coats for people in need across the country.

The Warm Coats & War Hearts coat collection campaign will run from Oct. 28 to Jan. 16, 2012.