The fourth annual Livingston Coat Drive is going well, organizer Jeff Friedman of Livingston reported this week. "Coats and accessories are coming in fast," he noted. "Which is great, because really, this is just the beginning. Despite the unusually warm days earlier this week, winter is truly here, and it's going to last a while. So, please – keep those coats coming!"
Recently, the Coat Guy and Coat Drive "Dream Team" volunteer Candi Samansky delivered a huge pile of coats to OAR, the prisoner re-entry agency in Newark.
"This is a great agency," explained Friedman. "OAR is one of the leading providers of services to formerly incarcerated adults in New Jersey. Their name is a new twist on an old acronym. OAR (Options Addressing Re-entry) means that they offer new options for individuals re-entering society after being involved with the criminal justice system – like giving an oar to someone who's just been set adrift, in effect. They've been around for 25 years now, and their program offers intervention programs that help adults rejoin the world and become productive members of society. Meanwhile, its PATCH program serves children whose parents are incarcerated, helping them with visiting, educational and social events all year long.
"OAR gives each of these folks a second chance, and we're proud to be part of that process."
OAR is just one of several distribution partners that have teamed up with the Livingston Coat Drive to get winter coats to those who need them the most.
Friedman added, "As always, I'd like to say thanks to all of our donors and our volunteers. We have been receiving a steady stream of coats and cold weather accessories at each of our drop-off locations, and I want everyone to know, their donations are going to people who really need them."
With the holiday season here, he said, "It's a good time to reflect on how fortunate we all are. It has been truly heartening to see how many people have reached out to share their good fortune with others in need. Because of your generosity and compassion, there are dozens of people in need who will have something extra to be thankful for – a warm coat to get them through the winter. On their behalf, I'd like to say 'thank you.' "
Drop-off locations for this year's Livingston Coat Drive include the West Essex Tribune, 495 South Livingston Avenue in Livingston; West Orange Jewelers, 16 ...
