Caught Caring: Appaman and New York Cares

With winter just weeks away, odds are you’ve already reached for your coat a time or two. For millions of others, however, a warm coat is hardly a wardrobe staple over the following months — it’s a luxury.

By some estimates, 90% of New York City’s homeless need a new coat each winter, because they have nowhere to store their coat over the summer, and that’s why coat drives are a common sight this time of year.

Appaman has set itself apart, however. Not only is the über-hip childrenswear maker hosting a drive, it’s also matching a new coat for every gently used coat donated at their corporate headquarters in New York City.

Appaman co-founder Lynn Husum said she was “thrilled” to once again host the drive, which will benefit New York Cares. She adds,

“Being a part of such a collective effort to keep people warm feels right. I just hope that our effort encourages people to do the same in their neighborhoods.”

Last year New York Cares collected nearly 70,000 winter coats during the month of December and distributed them to thousands of men, women, and children who would otherwise be cold. If you live outside of New York City but would still like to contribute, Appaman encourages you to hold your own coat drive, and if you are local but can’t make it to the Appaman office, a list of drop-off locations can be found here.

Coats are but just one aspect of a “month of giving” by Appaman, however. This week the brand’s co-founder Harald Husum will travel to China, where he’ll meet with orphans and distribute packages of Appaman apparel, and on December 21 Appaman will donate boxes of toys and diapers to LYFE, a New York City-based program which enables teen mothers to continue their education while their children attend a daycare within mom’s school.

Appaman’s coat drive ends Dec. 21. To donate, send or drop-off your gently used coat at: Appaman Inc., 195 Chrystie St., Suite 404, New York, N.Y., 10002.