I had a chance to interview Beth Amodio, President and CEO of One Warm Coat, about the urgent need to address cold weather vulnerability as winter approaches. Since 1992, One Warm Coat has facilitated 50,000 coat drives across the country, collecting 8.3 million coats that have been distributed through more than 1,500 nonprofit partners, while keeping 21 million pounds out of landfills.
As fall and winter approach, many individuals and families struggle to afford adequate heating or warm clothing, putting their health and well-being at risk. Studies have shown that cold weather exposure significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular events and respiratory illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Why was One Warm Coat created?
In San Francisco in the fall of 1992, Lois Pavlow had an extra coat she wanted to give to someone who needed the warmth and shelter it would provide. She knew others probably had coats to donate as well, so she organized a coat drive in Union Square the weekend after Thanksgiving. It became an annual event, and grew in size and visibility each year. Nine years later in November 2001, Sherri Wood was listening to her car radio and heard a story of a woman in Union Square rushing to get to the coat drive before it ended, having taken a city bus with her arms overflowing with 10 coats. As Sherri sat in traffic, she mused “Why can’t there be coat drives everywhere so anyone who wants to can participate? And why can’t they take place any time of year, not just on this one weekend?” Sherri approached Lois with her idea to expand the coat drive program and make it accessible to everyone who wanted to participate. Sherri’s leadership and vision as the National Founder launched One Warm Coat from an annual local event to a thriving national 501(c)3 organization providing warmth to people in need across all 50 states.
What is the role of local coat drives in this initiative - and how can organizations hold a coat drive of their own?
For 32 years, One Warm Coat has galvanized thousands of volunteers across the country in a coordinated effort to provide warmth to millions of people in need through coat drives.
The Coat Drive Program provides free tools and resources to enable individuals, groups, companies, and organizations to hold coat drives. The coats they collect are distributed to children and adults in need in their local community through One Warm Coat’s vast network of 1,500 vetted nonprofit partner organizations across the country.
Each year, thousands of volunteers across the country enjoy teaming up with One Warm Coat to make a local impact by organizing coat drives. Last year, One Warm Coat facilitated the collection and distribution of more than 500,000 coats.
How does the initiative also work with retailers to keep coats out of landfills?
Retailers can work with One Warm Coat to reduce waste through the Coat Drive Program and Zero Waste Initiatve.
As global concern about textile waste and sustainable practices continues to grow, One Warm Coat is proud to be part of the solution, offering a nationwide option for fashion circularity with programs that reduce waste and maximize the lifespan of outerwear. Since 1992, One Warm Coat’s programs have provided warmth to people in need while promoting environmental
sustainability and keeping more than 20 million pounds of textiles out of landfills.
By holding in-store coat drives, retailers can engage their customers in giving back and providing a second life for gently worn coats.
Through the Zero Waste Initiative, retailers and manufacturers with overstock, irregular, and sample outerwear that cannot be sold can donate their excess outerwear to One Warm Coat, keeping the textiles out of landfills and providing them directly to individuals in need.
What are some ways that people can contribute to the cause, even if they can't set up a coat drive of their own?
It is easy to make a difference with One Warm Coat!
Donate money: The easiest way to make a difference is to donate funds – every $1 donated warms one person.
Donate coats: Clean out your closets and search by zip code to find a place near you to drop off the coats.
Donate time: Make a huge impact in your local community and collect coats for children and adults in need.
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