Reverend Al Sharpton and New York Gov. David Paterson are expected to be in attendance throughout the day too. This is just one of the many places where the spirit of giving is what it's all about.
In New York City's rescue mission, Christmas means warmth to hundreds of homeless men and women.
Today, on Christmas Day, they can pick out, try on and receive a donated coat for the winter season. Jose Debourg, a coat recipient says he could not be more grateful.
"I'm really trying to get back on his feet...I have a bed here overnight..I stay here and then I can go out and try to get work," says Debourg.
Still, the economy has taken a toll this year. The donations to New York Cares to are down 10 to 15 percent.
"Generally, we collect between 80 and 90,000 coats a years, so a 10-percent drop would mean about 8,000 people who don't get a coat this year," says Gary Bagley of New York Cares.
For Carl Logan, another coat recipient -- giving back means just as much as receiving.
"I got this coat here, I helped volunteer for the mission. I try to help them out as much as I can, and give back...and they blessed me with a brand new Columbia coat," says Logan.
For more information on New York Cares annual Coat Drive visit http://www.nycares.org, because people could really use these coats, especially this time of year.
SPECIAL NOTE: Coat Drive Extension Through January 9, 2009
New York Cares will extend this year's Coat Drive through January 9th, 2009 at two locations to meet increased coat requests from nonprofit agencies this year. Donations are down due to economic conditions, so we encourage everyone to give a coat if they can.
New Yorkers may donate coats at the following public locations until January 9th, 2009.
Groups and individuals who have collected coats can deliver them to the New York Cares Coat Drive warehouse (250 Hudson Street, 6th Floor) until January 16th, 2009.
WEB PRODUCED BY: Lakisha Bostick
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