"Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

"New Yorkers have hearts as big as our city. We've shown that time and again, by pitching in when catastrophes strike, here and abroad. New Yorkers have given generously to the relief efforts that followed last winter's devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean, and to help out after the more recent earthquake in Asia. We've also been there for the victims of Hurricane Katrina; I'm proud to say that New Yorkers have donated more than $1.2 million for Katrina relief through the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City alone.

"We've also got other proud traditions of giving that help those here in our own city who are in need. They're the annual 'Daily News Readers Care to Feed the Hungry of New York' food drive and the 'New York Cares Coat Drive.'

"This is the 22nd year of the 'Readers Care' food drive. Once again, Modell's is also supporting this effort. This year, the campaign also has the backing of both WABC Radio and ESPN Radio, and I want to commend all of these civic-minded businesses for helping New Yorkers in need.

"Between now and next January 6th, you can drop off canned goods and other non-perishable food at any City firehouse, police station, or at any Modell's store. Your donations will go to City Harvest, a non-profit organization that supplies food for soup kitchens, emergency food pantries, and other programs throughout the city. City Harvest helps feed more than 260,000 hungry New Yorkers each week, all year long - and I'm happy to say that all year long, the Mayor's Volunteer Center helps City Harvest in this humanitarian work.

"Taking part in the holiday food drive is easy. You can call the Citizen Action Center at 311 to find the most convenient food drop-off locations. Last year, City Harvest collected more than 220 tons of food during the holiday drive; this year, I challenge New Yorkers to give even more.

"You can also call 311 if you want to learn about more ways to help New Yorkers in need as part of this food drive. They'll connect you to the Mayor's Volunteer Center, where you can get tips on organizing food collection drives at your school, on your block, or in your house of worship… learn how sign up to assist in picking up food from collection sites for City Harvest… and get other suggestions about how to use your time and talent to help others. You can also contact the Volunteer Center through the City web site at www.nyc.gov.

"Wednesday also marks the beginning of the 17th annual 'New York Cares Coat Drive.' Each year, New York Cares provides more than 70,000 coats to New Yorkers who lack adequate winter wear. They expect to collect their one-millionth coat this December. Most of us have jackets and coats that are still in good shape, but that we and our family members just don't wear anymore. From Wednesday through December 31st, we can drop them off at sites throughout the city, including any NYPD facility in the five boroughs. Again, call 311 to find out the location of the most convenient precinct station.

"The 'Readers Care' food drive and the 'New York Cares' coat drive are annual traditions of this happy season, just like last Thursday's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or the lighting of the tree at Rockefeller Center later this week. They give us the chance to make a vital difference in the lives of our less-fortunate neighbors, and to show the generous and compassionate heart of New York.

"This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Thanks for listening."