New York Yankees to partner with New York Cares on coat drive at Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square on November 9

The New York Yankees announced today that they will partner with New York Cares for a winter coat drive on Wednesday, November 9 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square (1501 Broadway between 43rd and 44th Streets.)

The first 1,250 people to donate gently-used coats will also receive a pair of tickets to the Army-Rutgers college football game at Yankee Stadium on November 12 at 3:30 p.m.

The 2011 New York Cares Coat Drive officially kicks off on November 15 and runs through December 31.

"We are very excited to be working with a wonderful organization like New York Cares to help collect coats for those in need this holiday season," said New York Yankees General Partner and Vice Chairperson Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal. "We hope our incredibly generous fans will join us in Times Square to share in the holiday spirit and help their fellow New Yorkers."

The Yankees and New York Cares extend their gratitude to the Hard Rock Cafe, which has kindly donated their time, space and staff to make a difference in the community.

"We appreciate the New York Yankees organization for organizing this event and donating coats to this pre-season opener for the New York Cares Coat Drive, which begins next week on November 15th," said Gary Bagley, Executive Director of New York Cares. "The economic downturn continues to hit hardest for those with the least. We thank the New York Yankees for collecting coats today and urging everyone to give as generously as they can during the upcoming New York Cares Coat Drive."

For the last 23 years, New York Cares has collected used winter coats each holiday season, and distributed them to men, women and children who would otherwise go cold. This massive undertaking is run by New York Cares, but relies on the generosity of all New Yorkers for its success.