Ms. Summers
March 18, 2024
Congratulations on being nominated and named a finalist for the 2024 ATHENA Award, sponsored by the Regional Chamber and The Vindicator/vindy.com! This award is presented annually to a local woman who has made significant achievements in her career, as well as in the community. We are proud to celebrate the 31st anniversary of this prestigious program, and I hope you will enjoy the upcoming festivities and publicity that accompany your nomination.
HELP US
HELP OTHERS
Support The Youngstown Blue Coats with A Community Thrives® Donation.
$100
100% of Your donation goes directly to supporting Youngstown Blue Coats.
Our
Mission
The mission is simple. In America, nobody should freeze to death. We bridge the gap between the shelters and homeless camps in the winter. We march out into the woods in late evening hours looking for homeless. We give them coats, hats, gloves, sleeping bags, boots, tents, tarps, and socks. We look even harder for our Veterans. They're usually found helping other people. We do this with no questions asked, no middle man, and we are all volunteers. We say "we" a lot because we are a family. Many people united with one goal. This isn't one of those puppy commercials with the music in the background. This is freezing your butt off, soaking wet from sleet, marching through the woods in the dark, shivering, hoping you don't fall in the river again, emotionally draining work that takes its toll on even the hardest Marines. We go to where the people are. We go to where the homeless call home. We make sure they stay warm. It's that simple.
Our New Location!
2654 North Main Street in Hubbard, OH
Our office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 11-4 and Thursday from 11-5 unless we have an event.
As a reminder, PLEASE DO NOT leave donations outside of our office. If they get wet or are just outside, critters might get in and will result in them just being thrown away. We do not have laundry facilities and we Do Not want critters in our office.
The Blue Coats are looking for and are in need of shelving for our warehouse. If you know of some or want to donate some, we can give give you a receipt for your taxes as we are a 501c3. Please contact us at 330 531 1762. If we don't answer, please leave a message and we will get back to asap.
Thank you for your support and remember
In America Nobody Should Freeze to Death!
WHO WE HELP
American's Helping Americans
Veterans Helping Veterans
Homeless in Ohio
& Pennsylvania
We are finding homeless under bridges, on the streets, in woods, and in fields to give them warm clothing and other items to stay warm.
1 in 5 Homeless we
serve are Veterans
We do more than give warming items. We supply them with contact information for services they may not know are available.
By The Numbers
According to the United States Interagency Council of Homelessness
10,656
People & families that are experiencing homelessness in Ohio.
13,375
People were reported homeless in Pennsylvania.
1,707
Were reported as homeless Veterans in Ohio & PA.
The 2020 U.S. Census Population calculates these numbers. Unfortunately, too many fall through the cracks and must be accounted for by the Census Bureau. The Youngstown Blue Coats are helping fellow Veterans and Americans in their time of need, but your help is needed.
top 5 needed items!
- New or gently used -
Items Needed
- Sleeping Bags
- Coats & Hoodies
- Dry Boots
- Warm Winter Gloves
- Hand / Foot Warmers
- Blankets (Not Comforters)
- Tarps
- XLGym / Duffel Bags
- Socks (Must be New)
the YOUNGSTOWN BLUE COATS
HAVE HELPED OVER 2,500 PEOPLE.
LEARN MORE
To say this year was more difficult than others is an understatement.
We served a record number of people in need reaching 3,600 and now we are finding children and families which is heartwrenching.
One of our most difficult distributions this year was our Pittsburgh trip. Our guide for the past 6 years had passed away last spring and we hadn't found out until we got there that after years of suffering from a terrible accident, he was found dead in a crack house. His heart for the homeless was amazing, he was a minister in a Veteran's shelter and he told everyone about how Jesus could redeem them from their addiction only to end up using to kill the pain and it overtook him as well. We helped over 100 people that day.
The picture is of one our regular stops there, Suicide Hill is what it's called. We saw things there we had never seen before which still haunt my mind. Drug abuse is at a high there yet people are still grateful for our help no matter where we go.
Seeing people who are at one of the lowest points in their lives come to you looking like there is no hope is hard. We give them the warming items they need and offer prayers if they want (which they usually do). When they leave us we see smiles and a spark of happiness on their faces along with a thank you for doing this, it makes it all worth doing what we do.
Now we take a short break, raise money for next season and look forward to the day when what we do is no longer needed. Until then, we pray for those who make an imprint on our hearts.
Be blessed and thank you for seeing in me what I couldn't.
Patty Summers
Y.B.C.
Our Focus
Our Events
Future and Past Events held by the Youngstown Blue Coats. We'd love it if you could volunteer or join us.
What We Do
We bridge the gap between the shelters and homeless camps in the winter. There are many ways to volunteer.
Ways to GIVe
Donations can be monetary or in the form of warm clothing articles like coats, boots, sleeping bags & more.
Get Involved
We have contributed to over 55 agencies and outreaches, which include the Warren and Youngstown Missions.
Blog
News, Stories & More
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![Bob's Story of Gratitude]()
Featured Story
Bob's GratitudeBob C. Story of Gratitude
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![Althea]()
Featured Story
Althea's StoryAlthea's Story
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![Giving Hope and Boot]()
Featured Story
Stories of Hope!To The "Shoeless."
We Give More Than Shoes!
Take Action
Volunteer your energy, talents, and resources to bring inspiration and hope to those who need it.
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