On Nov. 4, two students at Alameda High School, brothers Patrick and Andrew Nguyen, organized “Warmth in the Winter,” a music and dance benefit concert. The event, which took place at St. Philip Neri’s O’Brien Hall, included youth from across Alameda. Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer was there along with many other atendees. Donations, totaling more than $2,500, were used to purchase sleeping bags for the homeless in Alameda.

Performers included SPN Youth Choir, Alameda High School, Alameda School of Music, Alameda String Academy, Dance/10 Performing Art Center and Dance Art Studio. Following the show, Mayor Spencer reached out to Bay Farm Island business, VF Outdoor, makers of lucy, JanSport and the North Face, who generously joined the effort, providing 100 warm, durable sleeping bags from The North Face, significantly below the retail price. Patrick and Andrew plan to personally distribute the sleeping bags to Alameda’s homeless.

This follows another benefit the brothers organized in March, with donations going to San Jose flood victims. Patrick, Andrew, VF Outdoor and everyone who contributed to helping keep the homeless warm this winter deserve a heartfelt thank you.