Lee Zeldin announces $5 million in winter clothes going to homeless
Former Republican candidate for governor Lee Zeldin announced the Dakota Project — a new $5 million joint charity initiative to clothe the homeless and other needy individuals this winter.
Zeldin Cares, a not-for-profit group of the onetime Long Island Congressman, formed a partnership with outerwear brand Arctix to distribute 108,000 garments.
The project is named after Arctix Chairman Matt Bruderman’s teenage daughter, Dakota, who inspired the initiative.
The clothing will be sent to various not-for-profit groups across New York and the country to deliver to the needy, Zeldin said.
“This is a substantial donation. There are enough garments to clothe every homeless veteran in America,” he said Sunday.
“Too many Americans are spending nights on the streets and in shelters as we head into this winter season,” Zeldin said.
“This historic distribution of millions of dollars worth of new apparel is an essential way for Zeldin Cares and Arctix to uplift underserved communities.”
He said more than a dozen groups have already reached out to distribute jackets, hats, and gloves to adults and children.
A special winter coat was designed particularly for homeless individuals, with hoods that inflate into pillows, Zeldin noted.
The clothes also will go toward addressing emergencies. He said an upstate lawmaker informed him that a fire burned down the home of a family in his district, so clothes would be delivered to them.
Matt Bruderman said he’s thrilled to have his Long Island-based Arctix firm participate in the charitable endeavor.
“Between my daughter, Dakota’s inspiration and ideas and Lee’s incredible drive and ability to execute, this effort will serve as a model for other brands and the whole nation. Amazing what is getting done with the vision of those two and the work of two great organizations,” Bruderman said.
Zeldin launched his group Zeldin Cares earlier this year to aid the needy.
