Help our students get winter coats!

Cash for Coats drive

Help our kids stay warm this winter with a donation to the 2023 Cash for Coats drive, which is now underway!

Cash for Coats – coordinated by the office of Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan – is an annual effort to raise money to buy new winter coats and accessories for City School District of Albany students in need.

The mayor, Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter and several community sponsors launched this year's drive Thursday at a news conference at the Palace Theatre.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Donate online 
  • Text 518COATS to 41444
  • Mail a check payable to Cash for Coats/Lodge's Department Store to: Albany City Hall, Mezz RM 252, 24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207

Donations are due by Friday, Nov. 3. The city has partnered with United Way of the Greater Capital Region on the drive; every dollar raised goes directly to purchase of coats and accessories. 

This year marks the 15th Cash for Coats drive. Since it began, the program has purchased more than 13,500 new coats and tens of thousands of new hats, gloves and mittens for Albany children.

Besides the city, the Palace and the school district, community partners supporting the drive include Lodge's Department Store, United Way, Burke Company, Dr. Edward Wladis of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery, PLLC and Elks Lodge #49.