Manhasset Secondary School students traveled to New York City on Dec. 6 to put coats directly in the hands of the city’s homeless population. Students joined the organization Sidewalk Samaritan to give away more than 200 coats that were collected during a drive at the school.
While the Manhasset Key Club, National Honor Society, and Green Club partnered to help collect the coats, the drive was spearheaded by Manhasset High School juniors Eva Kosciusko and Sophia Stefanakis. Kosciusko, Stefanakis, and student Esha Brar started the all-student, nonprofit Global Mental Health Community Network. The purpose of the organization is to raise awareness and provide information about mental health issues from a variety of stressors. The group then works to address those stressors by organizing and executing projects, including the coat giveaway.
“It makes us feel great that we are helping people and doing something to make their day a little better. Not having a warm coat and food is something that can bring on a lot of mental stress and we are trying to alleviate that,” said Kosciusko and Stefanakis.
The student nonprofit hopes to tackle food insecurity next. It’s working to collaborate with Island Harvest in efforts to raise awareness and provide funds for food scarcity on Long Island.
Photos courtesy of Manhasset Public Schools
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