More than 500 children were given winter clothes in Hempstead on Thursday.

The effort was part of the "Share the Warmth" coat drive.

Plainview's Alana Mitnick came up with the idea four years ago. She says this year's event was the biggest ever.

"It means a lot to see all the hard work that we've been putting in pay off and seeing the smiles on people's faces, knowing that they have the clothes and the gear they need for this winter to help their families," Mitnick said.