Tracy, United States (November 25, 2013): It is learnt that the Tracy Sikh families will give thousands of coats to people in need of warm winter clothing during an annual coat giveaway next weekend.
Anyone who needs a coat can pick one up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tracy Richard O. Hastie-Monte Vista Clubhouse, 753 W. Lowell Ave.
According to Tracy Press Mike Sandhu is leading the coat giveaway project, in its 15th year in Tracy, which commemorates a winter ordeal for two Sikh brothers in 1705.
Mike Sandhu said the group is giving away $125,000 of coats, gloves, socks and knitted hats during distributions in Tracy, Stockton and Modesto.
There is no requirement for receiving a free coat, other than need, Sandhu said.
“There a lot of families hard hit in the downturn of the economy,” Sandhu said. “People who feel they need a coat are welcome to it.”
All the clothing is brand new, and coats will be available in a variety of colors and in sizes from infant to adult 3XL, Sandhu said.
The Tracy Sikh families expect to give away nearly 7,000 coats this year in the three cities, Sandhu said — almost 5,000 at the Boys & Girls Club.
“There will be different sizes, different colors, everybody will be covered. There will be plenty of jackets,” Sandhu said. “We want to help as many people as we can.”
This is the first year the giveaway will take place at the Lowell Avenue clubhouse. It was moved from the Larch-Clover Community Center because the Lowell Avenue site has more parking and more space inside for the clothing to be spread out, Sandhu said.