MONROE – Police chiefs in Orange and Sullivan counties are conducting their annual winter coat drive. 

The police chiefs are asking that residents drop off a new or gently used winter coat at a participating police department.  They can also drop off other winter related apparel, such as hats, scarves, and gloves. 

The winter coat drive will begin on Saturday October 24th and will continue until Sunday November 1st.

Donations may be dropped off anytime of the day or night at any of the participating police departments.

Participating police departments in Orange County include the cities of Middletown, Newburgh and Port Jervis; the towns of Blooming Grove, Chester, Cornwall, Crawford, Goshen, Montgomery, Newburgh, New Windsor, Tuxedo, Wallkill, Warwick and Woodbury, the Villages of Chester, Goshen, Greenwood Lake, Harriman, Highland Falls, Monroe, Tuxedo Park, Walden and Washingtonville.

Participating police departments in Sullivan County include the Town of Fallsburg and the villages of Liberty and Monticello.

Monroe Police Chief Dom Giudice, president of the Police Chiefs’ Association of Orange County, said that last year’s winter coat drive was an overwhelming success. Hundreds of winter coats were donated and given to individuals that needed them. 

The coats will be distributed in the county they are donated, first  to county agencies that assist individuals in need and then to other recognized organizations that lend assistance to those in need.