As a winter storm whips its way through Syracuse, people are bundling up and weathering the snow. However, not everyone can afford a warm coat or a place to escape the cold. That’s where the Rescue Mission comes in.
This Syracuse non-profit organization has been open for 131 years. Tori Shires, the Mission’s Chief Development Officer, says that it’s the personal touch they put on giving that compels people to come.
“They can choose items that are tailored to them. So, they’re not just necessarily handed a coat…and told “take this”. They can shop for themselves. And that’s not just coats, that’s pants and shirts, and anything else that they might need.”, said Shires.
Shires said that the time between October and December is the busiest, and that the Mission is always looking for donations. She laughed and said that they’re always in need of coats, but it’s actually the smaller winter garments they struggle to get.
“Gloves are our most needed item every winter…”, said Shires. “People just get a pair and then they lose them.”
The Rescue Mission is open 24 hours, and not only provides coats, but pants, shirts, and other outwear. Items that the Rescue Mission believes will help keep people protected from the snow, and prevent them from getting things like frostbite.
When asking the Syracuse community, what they wear to stay warm, Rebecca Vincent gave even more ideas in regards to what could be donated.
” A winter mask. You know, don’t forget about the scarf and the mittens because the wind chill will just burn your face. They ask me if I suntan, I say no I windburn, that’s what I
do in Central New York.”
There are places to donate clothes to the Rescue Mission Alliance all over CNY. One of the closest one being at 4256 James Street in East Syracuse.
WHEN YOU’RE OUTSIDE IN THE SYRACUSE SNOW IT’S YOUR COAT VERSES THE
WEATHER…
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[TAKE SOT
NAME:HARRISON SINGER DURATION:0’08”]
(” Fighting the cold and getting tired as a result at the end of the day…you definitely need a
jacket for the sub 20…15 degree days we have here.” )
{REPORTER: SUNNY}
BUT NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD A COAT DURING THE WINTER SEASON…SO
WHERE CAN THEY GO? WELL…THEY CAN COME HERE…TO THE RESCUE MISSION, A PLACE THAT’S BEEN OPEN FOR 131 YEARS…KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE
COLD AND BRINGING THEM INTO THE WARMTH…
A LOT OF SYRACUSE NON-PROFITS GIVE OUT COATS…BUT THE RESCUE
MISSION’S CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER…TORI SHIRES…SAYS THEY LIKE TO
MAKE IT MORE PERSONAL…
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[TAKE SOT NAME:TORI SHIRES DURATION:0’11”]
(” They can choose items that are tailored to them. So they’re not just necessarily handed a coat…and saying “take this”, they can shop for themselves. And that’s not just coats, that’s pant and shirts, and anything else that they might need.”)
SHIRES SAYS BECAUSE THE RESCUE MISSION GIVES OUT SO MUCH OUTWEAR DURING THIS SEASON…CERTAIN ITEMS ARE HOT COMMODITIES
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[TAKE SOT NAME:TORI SHIRES DURATION:0’05”]
(” We’re always in need of coats, but gloves are our most needed item every winter…”)
SHIRES SAYS PEOPLE NEED PLACES LIKE THE RESCUE MISSION BECAUSE STAYING WARM IN THIS WEATHER IS CRITICAL …AND IT TURNS OUT THE
COMMUNITY HAS EVEN MORE IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN DONATE TO KEEP PEOPLE BUNDLED…
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[TAKE SOT
NAME:REBECCA VINCENT DURATION:0’09”]
(” And a winter mask…you know, don’t forget about the scarf and the mittens because the wind chill will just burn your face…they ask me if I suntan I say no I windburn…that’s what I
do in Central New York…)
