In the spirit of Martin Luther King Day of Service, the DCSEU partnered with Unity Health Care and the DC Public Service Commission (PSC) on a Winter Ready DC Coat Drive. From January 8th through 25th, locals were invited to donate new winter hats and socks, along with gently used winter coats, gloves, or scarves, to their DC neighbors in need.
By the end of the coat drive, locals donated hundreds of winter coats, scarves, gloves, hats, and socks at three drop-off locations. On January 28th, just head of the week's vortex of extreme weather, the DCSEU, Unity Health Care, and PSC welcomed residents in need to Unity Health Care's East of the River Health Center to choose winter items for themselves and their families.
Despite chilly temperatures, dozens of volunteers assisted more than 50 local residents in "shopping" for their winter items. Volunteers and neighbors alike shared coffee, donuts, and - later - lunch. The DCSEU was also happy to welcome newly appointed PSC Chairman Willie Phillips to the event.
“It was a pleasure for the Public Service Commission to join the DCSEU and Unity Health Care for the Winter Ready DC Coat Drive. Recent cold weather emergencies have reminded us how important it is to share our resources and care for our DC neighbors in need, and I am happy to have been a part of the event,” said Phillips.
Caroline Kuo, Unity Health Care Event Planner, added, “We were so excited to partner with DCSEU on the Winter Ready DC Coat Drive to provide warm winter essentials to patients at our East of the River Health Center and to residents of the surrounding neighborhood. Through the generosity of DCSEU and Unity Health Care employees, we were able to distribute gently used coats and other cold-weather accessories to men, women and children in our communities to help them keep warm and healthy through the winter months.”