Community engagement with charity initiatives is one of the cornerstones of Legis. Anthony M. Piccirillo’s (R-8th District) time in office.

Since being elected in 2019, Piccirillo and his staff have brainstormed regularly and listened closely to constituents on what charitable drives could help those in his district.

“It’s really an ongoing effort,” said Piccirillo. “It’s not seasonal; we are always trying to bring the community together and engender resource allocation to help those in need.”

Most recently, Piccirillo has been hosting a coat drive for the winter. Last year, the first annual coat drive for his office gathered over 1,000 coats for men, women, and children for the cold season.

Piccirillo, who is active on social media, has often found constituents posting for specific sizes or styles of coats, and personally connected and delivered to people in need.

Previously, Piccirillo has had PPE drives for seniors who were home-bound, school supply drives for children, and food drives throughout the year.

The school supply drive in particular was heart-wrenching because students needed supplies as basic as pencils and loose-leaf paper to start the school year.

Backpacks were an especially needed item for those in the community struggling and Piccirillo’s office worked around the clock to provide gender and age-appropriate backpacks specifically requested by charity workers.

The coats collected in the drive will be donated to a variety of local charities, including Good Shepherd, St. Lawrence Church, Beacon House and Suffolk County Community Services.

“Every drive we’ve held, the front room of my office is filled within two weeks,” said Piccirillo.

To donate new or lightly used winter coats, please visit Piccirillo’s office at 1609 Grundy Avenue Holbrook, NY 11741 from Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.