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The organization is best known for its annual coat drive, which begins Monday. Last year, they collected about 94,000 coats.

"People, now with the economic downturn, will have to make choices," said Maria Lizardo of the Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, which received coats Wednesday to pass on to Washington Heights residents. "The coat is not going to be a priority, even though they need it, you know, they have to pay the rent."

New York Cares says demand for coats from groups that serve the poor is way up.

"We get applications from agencies who want the coats for their clients," said New York Cares Executive Director Gary Bagley.
"We've already gotten applications from 260 agencies to receive coats, and that's more than we got last year all together."

New York Cares is also busy this with its Winter Wishes Program, which helps get kids presents during the holiday season.

The organization receives 31,000 letters from children, which are distributed to individuals and companies who purchase gifts for the kids. But this year there's a shortage of people signed up to help grant kids' wishes, and some 7,000 letters still need to be answered.

"We are seeing that it has slowed down a bit, and we've extended the program to December 5th," said Bagley. "We're really asking New Yorkers if you have it in you to answer one letter this year. It would be a big help and make a big difference."

Among the 43,000 New Yorkers who volunteer through New York Cares each year is Charles Restivo, who leads Bank of America employees in the Winter Wishes Program.

Those who would like to help with the Winter Wishes program, donate a coat, or participate with any of their other volunteer projects, can get more information at NYCares.org.