The fourth annual Livingston Coat Drive will be getting a boost from Chico's at the Mall at Short Hills next week. The retailer is working with Coat Drive founder Jeff Friedman and volunteer Candi Samansky to coordinate a coat drive at the store. The initiative will begin on Presidents' Day, Monday, February 16, and will run through Saturday, February 21. During that time, any customer who donates a coat will receive 10% off their purchase, along with current store promotions.
"We are looking forward to working with the staff at Chico's, and we thank them for their generosity of spirit," noted Friedman. "The weather is cold, and the need is ongoing, so we can use all the help we can get!"
Friedman this past week delivered a car load of warm coats and accessories to North Reformed Church in Newark, one of the Coat Drive's distribution partners. "North Reformed offers an impressive community food pantry operation, as well as a facility with a variety of clothing items and coats distributed to those who need them the most," said Friedman, who is known popularly as the "Coat Guy." The church, he added, "sees a broad diversity of humanity in the blocks surrounding its building, including business, arts venues, government, education, and a population of the very poor, making them an excellent fit for the Coat Drive. They seek connection with all of their neighbors on the level of their perceived need."
In addition to coats donated by local residents, Friedman said, "a beautiful selection of men’s dress clothes was dropped at the Tribune offices by former editor and publisher Kit Cone. North Reformed Church was also the recipient of the suits, dress slacks and neckties."
He explained, "It’s appropriate to note just how important this is. Folks with no money generally don’t own dress clothes to wear to job or educational interviews. Here is a vital resource for those attempting to better themselves, right on Broad Street in Newark."
Meanwhile, the Coat Drive is continuing to work toward its goal of 2,000 coats by the end of February. "We still need another 150 coats to meet this goal, and I'm hoping the good people of Livingston can come through for us," said the Coat Guy. "I want to get them to the most needy people right away."
He added, "It’s true that the poor, homeless and disenfranchised need the help and generosity of our neighbors more than ...
