Astoriabout a project.

Dunkin' Donuts is advertising Apple Cider and Payless has replaced its gladiator-fighting sandals with knock off UGGs. Fall is upon us. Soon we'll all be murmuring our coffee orders to baristas: "ahem...I'll have the, uh...Toasted Cornucopia Gingerbread-hug Soy Latte...extra Pumpkin Whip and Nutmeg Foam...but when you call it out, could you just say, 'Straight-up Black Coffee, extra no-frills, for the intelligent woman standing here to my left'?" 

I can't, I WON'T, gush over Fall because there are more important issues to address. Fall doesn't need ME to talk about its leaves and pumpkins, and apple recipes, and mulled wine! and half gloves! and KNIT CAPS THAT LOOK LIKE ANIMALS...I LOVE FALL!

Naw, yo. I'm here to talk about kids. Cold kids; you know, the ones that aren't warm and don't have access to items they need this Fall and Winter. This evening marks the beginning of a project called Candy Coats. The goal of Candy Coats is to raise money to buy as many coats as we can for kids in need of warmth. Each coat will be personalized for the child, and its pockets will be filled with candy and treats. Coats will be placed in a basket, along with other items from the child's holiday wish list, then addressed directly to that child. The goal is to raise money for 16,000 Candy Coat baskets for each of the 16,000 homeless children in this city. Aim high.

To raise this money, I'll be selling handmade cards and invitations. Why cards? I love to make them. I love to send them and write in them and buy them and collect them. Cards will be sold on a variety of websites, at many local stores and markets, and from my very home. You won't be able to swing a roll of stamps without knocking over a stand selling these cards.

Gulp, here it goes. To advertise for more online sales, I'm going to be passing out fliers and free cards to Astoria's N-Train riders after work. Every willing rider will receive a flier, but only the lucky one-per-car-per-stop from Queensboro Plaza to Ditmars will receive a FREE, hand-crafted card. That's a $2 to $5 deal. They'll be knocking down subway doors to get them. The idea is, "Whoa I just got a cool free card...I'll check this out when I get home...stand clear of the closing door please...type type type...cool, a service project...I like kids...Oh no, they're cold?!...if I buy more cards, 100% of the profits goes to this coat project...I'll buy a 387,000!"

To follow this project, check back here, or at Astoriabout on Twitter. I'll be tallying profits, providing sneak-peaks at the day's free card, displaying candy-coated photos and more.

Interested in helping? Need a coat for your child? Get in touch.