ALBANY COUNTY For the fourth year in a row, County Executive Dan McCoy aims to provide coats to homeless veterans.
There are currently more than 18,000 veterans in Albany County.
Since its start in 2012, Katie’s Koats has collected over 8,000 coats for local homeless and veterans in need. Last year, the drive collected and distributed 3,600 coats, and expanded from donating solely to veterans to donating to all local homeless individuals. With winter weather fast approaching, the organization aims to break last year’s record to provide warm winter coats to even more people in need.
At a press conference held Monday, Nov. 16, McCoy announced new partnerships with Crossgates Mall and the Albany Devils to provide more opportunities for Albany County residents to donate new and gently used coats. McCoy was joined by Albany Devil’s player Dan Kelly, and Kaitlyn Drobner, who started the program four years ago at the age of 20.
Donations can be made at a donation box at Crossgates mall and at the Albany Devils’ game on Dec. 6 at the Times Union Center. As well, the county offices at 112 State St., 175 Green St. and 162 Washington Ave, all 11 BEST Cleaner locations across the Capital District and PG’s Caf