Once a year, events like Cares Day for Schools, Winter Wishes, and the Coat Drive occur as part of our broader work addressing inequality in the five boroughs. These programs have engaged individual and corporate volunteers in both in-person service and fundraising. In response to COVID-19, we have been creative and innovative in adapting these events. As always, the safety of our staff, volunteers, community partners, and the people we serve remain our top priority. We appreciate your flexibility as we ensure our events and programs are safe and appropriate for all involved.

Cares Day for Schools

Cares Day for Schools is a day of service in October, focused on revitalizing indoor and outdoor spaces at partner schools. Last year, volunteers built a new music room for middle school students in Brooklyn. Another group crafter a library at an elementary school in The Bronx. This year, due to safety concerns with indoor spaces, we could not send large volunteer groups into schools.

Our school partners have asked for school supplies, PPE, academic tutoring, and social-emotional support for students coping with trauma. A new initiative, Stand with Students, will engage volunteers and supporters during the 2020-2021 school year. We hope to restart our revitalization efforts in schools as soon as it’s safe and appropriate to do so.

Winter Wishes

Every year we organize a large holiday gift-giving event. Children and teens at our partner organizations write holiday letters, and we match these gift requests with volunteer wish-granters. This year, we will provide gifts to a small group of community partners, focusing on family shelters, public housing facilities, and Title I schools in Central Queens, the South Bronx, and East Brooklyn.

Due to social distancing restrictions, this year’s program will be smaller, and our corporate sponsors will fulfill gift requests. We thank all our volunteers for their past participation in Winter Wishes and invite you to continue supporting students and schools through our Stand with Students initiative.

Coat Drive

A drive to collect and distribute coats to New Yorkers in need, the Coat Drive is one of our most popular seasonal programs. This large-scale effort depends on volunteers and donors from start to finish. This year we will change the Coat Drive to accommodate social distancing and safety requirements. Stay tuned for more details!