The rainfall didn't stop the Youngstown Blue Coats from hosting a "Golf for the Homeless," fundraising event at Parto's Golf Learning Center in Hubbard.

Although it's warm outside buying now when sales are taking place is essential to be able to help the homeless during the cold freezing winter months in the Youngstown, Northeast Ohio, and Northwestern PA.

Patty Summers with Youngstown Blue Coats said, "Last year we helped almost 1600 people, men, women and of that over 400 veterans we helped they were on the streets. We try to give them good boots. We got to keep their feet and hands from freezing and keep their heads covered and their cores warm. Then your good at being able to save their lives. We also give away sleeping bags, tents, and tarps.

This game on the greens and gift auction is helping provide money not only for coats but boots, hats, gloves, and items needed for survival. The non- profit's motto no one in America should freeze to death.

The organization is expecting to see an increase in the need for help as bans on evicting people are lifted. Ohio no longer has a moratorium on evictions for people who can't pay rent. Pennsylvania's moratorium is expected to end on August 31st. According to the US Inter-agency Council on Homelessness in 2019 10,345 people were homeless in Ohio and Pennsylvania 13,199

Summers added, "We are hearing more and more people are losing their homes because they lost their jobs. Those people have nowhere to go, and we're worried we'll end up finding them on the streets this year too."


The Youngstown Blue Coats Facebook site has a link to a GoFundMe account for donations. And you can donate through PayPal on the not for profit's website, ytownbluecoats.org.

The non-profit is accepting checks, and new or gently used warming items such as boots, coats, gloves, hats, and new socks on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 6169 Youngstown Hubbard Road, Hubbard, Ohio.