A Tribecan and pediatric social worker at the Hospital for Special Surgery is hosting a clothing drive for underserved kids, and Cocoon and Laughing Man are helping make it happen.

Paige Keren works with at risk pediatric patients at HHS and wants to help her patients — some of whom are dealing with medically complicated disabilities like spina bifida and cerebral palsy — get ready for school. Many of them, she said, don’t have appropriate clothing either for their age or the weather. She knew her Tribeca neighbors could provide hand-me-downs and more; she just needed a way to collect them.

So the folks at Cocoon agreed to be a drop-off location, and David Steingard at Laughing Man has offered her a section of the outdoor seating to do a live collection.

Paige is seeking clothes for kids ages 8 to 18. Here’s how to contribute:

• Drop off at the Cocoon stroller area at 316 Greenwich from July 13 to 26 between 9am and 5:30pm. There will be a plastic bin with a cover.
• Bring clothes to Laughing Man on Duane Park on Tuesday, July 14, from 9a to noon.

Paige said the drive will serve up to 75 children. She’s booked a conference room at HSS for a “Back-to-School Store” where kids and their siblings will each get tickets to choose the items they want — and this is part of the mission. The event is intended to be fun and empowering, less like taking charity and more like shopping. They will also be receiving backpacks and school supplies.

You can reach Paige directly with a donation at kerenp@hss.edu.

More information on the HSS volunteer program here.