Jayson Conner, 48, and Jeffrey Newman, 58, Die; Gave Thousands of Backpacks to Those in Need

Jayson Conner and Jeffrey Newman, a Queens couple known for helping people experiencing homelessness, died within days of each other after years of distributing supplies from their nonprofit in New York City. Conner, 48, died of a heart attack at their home in Queens on June 28, according to his daughter Jewlia Conner. Newman, 58, died four days later on July 2, his brother Glenn said, without providing a location or cause. Starting in 2018 with a small number of backpacks, the pair grew the effort with nearly 40 volunteers. By 2026, they and the volunteers distributed more than 180,000 packs to people living on the streets of Manhattan. Once a week in Queens, they assembled more than 100 backpacks loaded onto a moving van, then volunteers fanned out to deliver them over several days. Their supplies included toiletries, socks, notebooks, and winter wool socks, with added items such as batteries for flashlights.