Rochester City School District

City School District, City of Rochester, VOA Partner on Coat Drive for Students

NEWS RELEASE – ROCHESTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Date: February 13, 2008

The Rochester City School District and the City of Rochester in conjunction with Volunteers of America are partnering to collect new coats and other winter clothing for city students.

The coat drive will directly address student needs as well as the root cause of concerns about the school district’s decision to keep schools open on cold days such as Monday the 11th.

“The question is not whether 15 degrees above zero or 15 degrees below zero is best for students to walk to school in. It’s how we keep our children warm in typical Rochester winter weather regardless of the temperature,” said Superintendent of Schools Jean-Claude Brizard. “The community is aware of this need and I am confident we will rise to meet it.”

"This project represents another wonderful example of the community coming together to support the needs of Rochester's children,” said Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy. “The City is proud to partner with Volunteers of America and the Rochester City School District to support the provision of warm clothing for city school district students. I am hopeful the greater Rochester community will respond to this important call to action."

“We are delighted with the new standard that Superintendent Brizard is setting,” said Dianne Newhouse, President and CEO of Volunteers of America, Western New York. “Volunteers of America is delighted to be able to help our children stay warm and on their way to school.”

The public is asked to bring new winter coats, hat, mittens, scarves and boots to the Volunteers of America, 214 Lake Avenue, from Monday, February 18th through Friday, February 29th during normal store hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Outerwear in sizes appropriate for elementary school children is most needed but donations in all sizes are welcome.

Volunteers of America is donating its services to deliver the items to schools at the completion of the drive. All items will be distributed to students in the Rochester City School District.

“We thank Volunteers of America for its generosity in being a major part of this drive,” said Brizard. “Their involvement makes it easy for people to donate and will expedite our ability to get these coats into the hands of our students.”