On November 15, William Floyd High School hosted the third annual Coat Giveaway organized by the William Floyd United Teachers (WFUT). The event took place in the school's west gym and aimed to provide winter essentials and other items to local families.
Despite facing planning challenges this year, WFUT volunteers collected and distributed a record 3,000 winter coats, as well as 1,000 hats, gloves, scarves, 500 toys, 300 children’s books, 300 backpacks with school supplies, 200 Thanksgiving turkeys, and over 200 bags of side dishes. The line for the event wrapped around the building.
“Teamwork doesn’t just lighten the load – it amplifies the outcome,” said Michael Devenney, William Floyd High School English teacher and WFUT president. “Seeing our teachers and community come together to turn a 1,000-coat dream into a 3,000-coat reality fills me with immeasurable pride. This event is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.”
April Coppola, president of the William Floyd Board of Education added: “The dedication, compassion, and care of our teachers runs deep, and it shows through actions like these. I thank the teachers for the time, heart and effort, as well as the unwavering commitment to our community, which is stronger because of their work.”
Kevin M. Coster, superintendent of schools for William Floyd School District commented: “I am grateful to our teachers for providing this important event to our community for the past three years. Despite some challenges they faced this year, WFUT came through once again. At William Floyd, we are grateful for the efforts of our teachers through events like these and for their hard work each and every day in educating our students.”
Numerous donations supported this initiative. District teachers contributed funds or purchased new or gently used winter clothing. East End Screen Printing provided 1,000 new hats and gloves; additional donations came from local boutiques such as Fame and Rebel Boutique in Port Jefferson and Trinkets Boutique in Hewlett. Student groups like Tangier Smith’s Fifth Grade Student Council also participated.
Several businesses contributed financially or with goods including Acclaimed Medical Bus; AFLAC; Feldman Kramer & Monaco P.C.; Kevin Donovan (Mutual Inc.), Long Island Public Service Employees Local 342; Mitev Law Firm; Suffolk County Legislator James Mazzarella; Genesis Church; Riverhead Building Supply; Cetera Investors’ Katherine Martin; Michelle Ferraro’s Dance USA Studio in Moriches; Book Fairies in Freeport; Rachel Quinn Foundation; American Federation of Teachers (AFT) via its "Reading Opens the World" grant.
Volunteers included more than sixty teachers plus members from student organizations such as Science Honor Society and Skills USA team who helped sort items or organize food packages. Four officers from SCPD's Seventh Precinct Community Unity Division assisted during distribution.
Preparation involved staff working late into Friday evening before opening on Saturday morning. The planning team comprised several high school educators alongside representatives from Hobart and Paca schools.