Monroe County kicked off its annual "Coats for Seniors" drive on Monday.
The program collects new or gently-used, adult-sized winter jackets to help the elderly who are in need.
“When you do that we're supporting seniors,” County Executive Maggie Brooks says. “And ensuring that their health and wellbeing and safety is a priority during this cold winter season."
Brooks says the program has given away more than 5,200 coats since it began ten years ago.
"There are 122,000 seniors in Monroe County. [It’s] hard to believe that many of those seniors are in need of warm coats for the winter," she says.
Donation boxes will be set up in the atrium of the Monroe County Office Building, at Monroe Community Hospital and Colony Dry Cleaners on Howard Road in Gates. Any additional coats that seniors don't select will be given to local shelters and clothing closets.
People have until January 2nd to donate coats.