Council Member Andy King Spreads Warmth with Coat Giveaway

BRONX — New York City Council Member Andy King is helping Bronx residents fight the bitter cold – one coat at the time.

This past Saturday, Council Member King held a winter coat giveaway, distributing hundreds of winter coats, Bronx networking event prepares job seekers of all ages for the changing workplacet-shirts and jackets to those in need.

Residents started lining up hours before the noon coat giveaway. Luis Riquelme, 81, of Wakefield was the first to arrive at Council Member King’s district office on East Gun Hill Rd., Bronx.

“This is a fine coat,” said Riquelme. “It’s better than the one I have on now, which is old —  this is new.”

“There are far too many people – children and seniors included – who have been suffering through these bitter cold days without a coat. It is our hope to bring warmth and comfort to as many needy residents as possible,” said Council Member King who accepted the coats from the Bronx Clergy Task Force and New York Cares.

“Three weeks ago I lost everything in a fire,” said Mary Edwards of Wakefield, who found a green coat at the giveaway. “This is fantastic, I really appreciate it. God sends us good people who do good things.”

This is the first year Council Member King hosted a coat giveaway. Based on today’s response, he said he plans to hold one every year.

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Luis Riquelme, 81, of the Wakefield section of the Bronx, choses a new winter coat at NYC Council Member Andy King’s coat giveaway on Sunday.

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