Smithtown and Hands Across Long Island Band Together to Keep Long Islanders in Need To Stay Warm
Hands Across Long Island and The Town of Smithtown have joined forces to help those in need keep warm during these cold winter months. The #CozyToes Sock Drive is accepting new or packaged sock donations starting February 4, 2019, and ends on March 5, 2019. Collection boxes for socks will be set up at Smithtown Hall, the Smithtown Youth Bureau and the Smithtown Senior Center. These chilling winter temperatures can be brutal for the homeless and otherwise less fortunate families. Supplying them with new, clean socks can make all the difference to stay warm.
“The Youth Bureau will be involving school student leadership & community service groups in in this project, as well. I’m always amazed and so pleased to see the strong participation, support and generosity of our township’s students and parents, with programs like these. It’s important for young people to recognize that there are residents who are struggling and that they personally can do something to help. We’re always very proud of the efforts of our student volunteers and it’s even better when ‘helping others’ becomes a family activity.” -Stacey Sanders, Executive Director Town of Smithtown Youth Bureau
Donated socks must be new or packaged. Already worn goods cannot be sanitized well enough, therefore cannot be put to good use. Socks are amongst the most valuable pieces of clothing to people without permanent housing. Other small items are more than welcome, such as gloves and scarfs. Even donating one garment will be substantive in keeping someone warm this winter.
“It’s always wonderful to see the entire community working together for such a wonderful case.”- Councilwoman Lisa Inzerillo
Hands Across Long Island is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1988. It is now the largest multiservice agency, mental health organization in New York State. They have helped over 3,500 people every year. The organization pledges to continue creating vital programs that will strengthen, empower, and assist those in the recovery process of psychiatric consumers and survivors.