By DAVID MEISTER
Sports Editor
As families start to pull on the extra layers this week and colder temperatures are here and expected to stay in the 40s and 50s the next few weeks, according to the National Weather Service, the city of Albany is kicking off the 11th year of their Cash for Coats campaign. The initiative has evolved into a partnership between the school district, the Mayor’s office, and also Lodge’s Department Store since its founding back in 2007 by former Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings.
The inspiration for the Cash for Coats program came one winter day around 2007 as Jennings was driving to work and he saw two children walking to school with no coat on and he said, “Jerry, you gotta do something about it.” Jennings also called the program an “important part of the city.”
In order for the idea to take shape, he needed a strong business that would help grow this initiative, and for that, he turned to Lodge’s Department Store and the Yonally family. Who have been in business for 151 years, making Lodge’s the oldest store in the city.
“Lodge’s believes in the city and they didn’t balk at it,” said Jennings.
Jennings was in office from 1994-2013 and his impact on the city and the establishment of this program meant a lot to Jack Yonally. “It was his city and he cared for it,” said Yonally.
The relationship between Jennings and Yonally goes back many years as it relates to Cash for Coats and Yonally remembered one year when they went to give the coats to one of the schools. “Jerry took the time to enter one of the second grade classrooms and sat on one of their chairs to read a story and ask if they knew what the mayor did,” recalled Yonally. He saw Jennings’ eye to help as one of the hallmarks of his administration. “I found the time he took inspirational and it showed me the type of mayor he was.”
Jack’s son Mark also took notice of Jennings’ good deeds and relationship to the city. “Jerry Jennings was a friend to just about everybody,” said Mark Yonally.
Lodge’s is a family owned store located on 75 North Pearl St. and is jointly owned by Mark Yonally and his sister Sharon Freddoso. They purchased the store about seven or eight years ago from their parents, Jack and Elaine Yonally, but they are all still involved in the daily operations. Yonally went on to say that Lodge’s gives back to the city to show their appreciation.
The current program is also led by Albany School District Superintendent Kaweeda Adams.
“Each year, the City School District of Albany selects four out of its eight highest-need elementary schools to receive winter coats,” said Adams. Children who will benefit this year come from Arbor Hill Elementary School, Philip J. Schuyler Achievement Academy, Sheridan Preparatory Academy, and the Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology.
Some 700 coats were distributed with the $14,000 that was raised last year, according to Adams. Last year Cash for Coats established another major sponsor to the program, the Palace Theatre, which also helps collect donations for the program.
Lodge’s facilitates the coat purchasing and collection each year.
“The coats are different brands that would normally see at the big stores,” said Yonally. He went on to say that Lodge’s works with the coat manufacturers at the end of the season to purchase coats through clearance sales. “They (the manufacturers) want to move product and we get great coats at a fraction of the price,” said Yonally. The program also gives children gloves, hats, and scarves.
Lodge’s is also a primary partner for many other coat donation programs and Yonally estimated that the store will be giving 5,000 coats to children in need this year throughout the greater Capital Region.
To account for the wide range of students throughout the schools, Lodge’s goes the extra mile to get a big range of coats.
“The store purchases the coats and sells them to the program at cost. They take care to purchase quality coats in an array of colors, sizes and styles for both boys and girls,” said Adams.
The program has grown each year since it was extended, promoted, and supported by current Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the city.
“We spearhead the entire initiative: ranging from managing the above collection efforts throughout the month of October, to coordinating with stakeholders and participating in distributing items to one of the selected schools at the mid-November press conference; as well as the overseeing, marketing and logistics in-between,” said Alay Medina, the director of the office of cultural affairs for the city.
The steady presence of stores like Lodge’s have helped to sustain the initiative this long.
“The program is successful because of the generosity of our community partners and the people who care about Albany,” said Adams.
The program facilitators said this program differs from others in one unique way. “100 percent of all contributions goes toward the purchase of these new winter items,” said Medina.
Cash for Coats also uses an extensive system to get the word out throughout not only the city but also the greater Capital Region.
Elaine Yonally, and Mark Yonally with coats on Oct. 15
“We have several collection boxes distributed throughout Downtown Albany; on behalf of the Mayor, we facilitate a donation letter and commitment form mass mailing (as well as a subsequent follow up mailing) to the area’s businesses, organizations and philanthropists; we accept online donations at www.albanyevents.org, as well as collect at selected Palace Theatre events,” said Medina.
The program has expanded greatly since its founding, but it remains just as important now as it did under Mayor Jennings.
“To echo Mayor Sheehan’s sentiment, ‘Albany is a city that cares’, particularly for the City’s most vulnerable constituents, it’s children in need. Since the Cash for Coats Drive’s inception 11 years ago, the initiative has not only provided our youth with over six thousand, new winter coats and tens of thousands of pairs of mittens, gloves, hats and scarves, we’ve also provided children with a sense of security and pride – enabling them to focus on their bright futures,” said Medina.
“Our goal for 2018 is to further increase the level of awareness and support of this worthy cause and eclipse 2017,” said Medina. For the Yonally’s and Lodge’s they say it’s to “get as many kids warm as possible.”
Yonally’s favorite part of the program isn’t in the collection, but in the end result. “The best part is going to give them (the coats) to the kids. It’s like they’re getting toys,” said Yonally.
Donations may be dropped off at two upcoming shows at the Palace Theatre: Darci Lynne and Friends on November 3 and Amy Schumer on November 8 or online at https://www.gofundme.com/q8d97c-cash-for-coats .
A number of collection boxes are set up throughout the city and may be found at Lodge’s and City Hall. They are also located at the Central Avenue Business Improvement District, the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, and the Albany Parking Authority. Interested donors can also write a check and mail it to Cash for Coats Albany City Hall Room 402 Albany, NY 12207. Donations from all methods are being accepted through November 8.
The message from the city is one of thanks and gratitude when it comes to Cash for Coats. “Personally, Cash for Coats is one of the most rewarding aspects of the Department’s role within the City of Albany. We look forward to how the initiative will continue to grow,” said Medina.
Adams’ message from the school is similar and she looks at the benefit for the children. “Food, clothing and shelter are basic human needs. And warm clothing is essential during winter in upstate New York. People who donate to the program help literally put coats on children that otherwise might go without – last year 740 kids got coats! That’s a great investment in humanity.”
