Ladies and Gentlemen, do not be alarmed but the world as you know it is at risk.

Each winter, in the nation’s busiest train station, sandwiched between six subway services, underneath the world’s premier arena, and across the street from the city’s foremost department store sits one of the New York Cares Coat Drive’s busiest collection sites. 

The Coat Drive at Penn Station is a true New York City commuter institution. Thanks to the generosity from the riders of the myriad of trains that arrive at Penn Station each morning, thousands of New Yorkers have done their part to keep their fellow New Yorkers warm.

But, like I said, the world as we know it is at risk, for this year a new stadium has risen across the river. With its celebrity owner inside, throngs of hipsters outside, and its nine-subway mega station below, the Brooklyn behemoth has been giving 34th Street a run for its money. And what’s more, for the first time ever, a coat collection site has been added to the Atlantic Av – Barclays Ctr.

I usually follow the mantra that the more coat collections sites the better. However, this year, my colleague Kim has put forth a challenge: that she can collect more coats at Atlantic Av than I can at Penn Station. 

With a little over one week left in the New York Cares Coat Drive, I ask you to please help right this wrong. It is above Penn Station where the city’s winningest sports teams play; it is next to Penn Station where the city’s most avid shoppers shop; and it is in Penn Station where the city’s busiest coat collection site should remain. 

You can donate a coat at Penn Station, weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on the LIRR concourse.

By Joseph Salas