Troy, NY – November 22, 2016 – This month Rensselaer County Executive Kathy Jimino, along with Jean Brooks from the Rensselaer County Department for Youth, distributed more than 300 warm winter coats to children at CEO’s Head Start and Early Head Start locations through the Rensselaer County Coats for Kids program.

The Rensselaer County Department for Youth and the Rensselaer County IDA raise funds to purchase the coats through events like the Rensselaer County IDA’s “Par, Tee, Fore Coats” golf fundraiser. The coats are purchased with the help of B. Lodge & Co., who work with their suppliers to get the best prices.

Since 2001, this program has donated thousands of coats to children in need throughout Rensselaer County. “It is such a great feeling to see the children so happy and excited to get a new winter coat, “said Jean Brooks, who coordinates the logistics of the program.