SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)--Tonya Swift Freeman's initiative, "Tonya Being Tonya," has grown from a small personal effort into a citywide mission supported by sponsors and volunteers.

What began as a small act of kindness, with Freeman giving coats from the back of her car, has transformed into a mission supported by sponsors and volunteers across the city.

"Every time I would go the same way to work and I would see kids on the corner with no coats in the wintertime," said Tonya Swift Freeman, founder of "Tonya Being Tonya." "I used to pull the stuff out of my trunk and just be like, 'Can I give you this?'"

Freeman's efforts have expanded each year, reaching different parts of the city to ensure all children can benefit from the coat giveaways.

The initiative has attracted the support of

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