December 01, 2013: TRACY - Thousands turned out Saturday for the 15th annual Free Coat Giveaway at the Boys & Girls Club of Tracy, sponsored by Tracy Sikh families.
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The sponsors donated $125,000 to provide and distribute new warm jackets, gloves, socks, hats and other apparel to needy people from infants to adults.
Military veterans were especially welcomed this year.
Approximately 20,000 items were distributed, including more than 4,000 jackets and 10,000 gloves, according to organizer Mike Sandhu of Tracy.
Between 25 and 30 volunteers helped in the giveaway. Items were distributed to about 4,000 people, and at one point the line was nearly a half-mile long, Sandhu said.
"A lot of people are in need with the economy the way it is," Sandhu said. "Our religion says to serve God you need to serve the people in need, so that's what we try to do."