PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A coat giveaway in Northeast Philadelphia on Friday left hundreds of kids with warm hearts and warm bodies.
The play yard at Gilbert Spruance Elementary School was filled with dozens of kids smiling as they received brand new, free winter coats. “I like it,” said 5-year-old Eisen of his new coat.
“Many of our families need the support and for us to be able to provide it for free is just something that we’re honored to do,” said Principal Patricia Garnica of the giveaway, made possible through a partnership with area businessman Gary Barbera and Pennsylvania state Rep. Jared Solomon.
Garnica said it was a full circle moment for her, to be able to help provide necessities to students at the school she once attended.
“I always remember Ms. Laney. She was my first teacher here in second grade,” she recalled. “She taught me how to speak English by going above and beyond. At the time, there wasn’t an ESOL program, so she didn’t have to do anything extra but she did.”
The giveaway was part of the Barbera Cares Program, and according to Barbera, it’s a decades-long tradition.
“It seems like the more coats we give out, the more we realize what the need is in Philadelphia,” said Barbera. “No kid should be left in the cold, especially going to school.”