United Way to Distribute 70,000 Blankets

Nolan Foundation Hands Out 350 to Messiah Baptist Church

L to R: Mark Blandford, Diamond Properties; Michelle Pollas of Human Development Services West; Tom Gabriel, United Way Kemi Pogue, Hit a Home Run Against Drugs.
James Nolan, right, delivers blankets from United Way to Messiah Baptist Church

With winter closing in and necessities in short supply due to COVID-19, United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) will be giving away 700,000 duvets, blankets and pillows to be distributed to social services agencies, schools, homeless shelters in Westchester, the Bronx and other locations in the metro area.


The shipment of desperately needed supplies are thanks to Delta Air Lines and a coalition of groups including Good360, Penske Logistics, and Diamond Properties, who worked together to make sure the supplies got into the hands of those who needed them most.


Several hundred agencies are expected to receive goods from Monday, October 26th through Friday, November 13th.“More than 40% of our neighbors are living in poverty, paycheck to paycheck or are food insecure right now. Winter is always a difficult time, but with the pandemic and the depletion of supplies, these blankets and pillows generously donated by Delta Air Lines will keep hundreds of thousands of our neighbors warm in the coming months. We also want to thank Good360, Penske Logistics and Diamond Properties for the assistance,” said Tom Gabriel, president and CEO of United Way of Westchester and Putnam. “It is partnerships like these that help us to fulfill our mission to lift up people in crisis to self-sufficiency.’’

“We are proud to partner with United Way to reach organizations, shelters and communities in need across the country,” said Allison Ausband, Delta’s Senior Vice President – In-Flight Service. “Our mission is to connect the world and giving back is a big part of that. Now more than ever, we must remember to come together, give what we can and support those who need it most.”

Faith Butcher, Chief Impact Officer for UWWP, said United Way is asking agencies in need of blankets and pillows to contact UWWP. United Way is also looking for volunteers to help load donations as well as greet and check-in agencies who are picking up donations. Agencies and volunteers can contact UWWP at www.uwwp.org or call 914-997-6700 for more information.

One Yonkers community service group, The Michael Nolan Foundation, reached out the United Way and James Nolan said, “I dropped off over 350 blankets to Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers. These blankets will help many in Yonkers and go a long way to keeping many warm during the cold weather days. Today’s blanket donation marks over 1,300 blankets that have been donated with many more to come!”