Nov. 29, 2023 By Anthony Medina
City Council Member Robert Holden is hosting a coat collection drive in Maspeth to help homeless veterans stay warm this winter.
Holden, along with the Institute for Community Living (ICL) and the Department of Veterans Services, will accept new coat donations at his district office, located on 58-38 69th St. in Maspeth, until Monday, Dec. 18.
The coats will be distributed to the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence, located at 21-10 Borden Ave. in Long Island City, where 243 beds are made available to house veterans around the clock.
“In partnership with the city and ICL, we’re launching a coat drive for the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence veterans, offering essential warmth as winter approaches,” said Holden. “Our efforts today underscore a larger commitment: to ensure that no veteran is homeless, honoring their service with the support they deserve.”
As the chair of the Committee on Veterans in the city council, Holden remains a steadfast advocate for veterans. Holden introduced legislation in July to establish Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. He also co-sponsored a resolution to recognize November as Veteran Appreciation Month, which was approved by the city council in October.
Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) shared its success in January with the housing more than 40,000 homeless Veterans in 2022, the government agency acknowledges that battle to house veterans remains.
Donors are encouraged to contact Holden’s Deputy Chief of Staff Alicia Vaichunas by email at avaichunas@citycouncil.nyc.goc or by calling 718-366-3900.