The Livingston Coat Drive, a partnership between Jeff Friedman, known as the Coat Guy, and the West Essex Tribune, officially opens this week.
Donations of new and gently used warm coats, along with accessories including gloves, hats and scarves, have already begun arriving at Tribune offices prior to this week’s announced kick-off.
"Our challenge now is to beat the 2,200 coats collected during the 2015-16 initiative," Friedman said. He added, "Towards the end of last winter, several loads of high quality men’s dress clothes became available. The coat drive accepted and donated men’s suits, slacks, shirts and ties, knowing that some of its distribution partners, mainly in Newark, also have clothes closets that assist those who are far less fortunate than most of us. Whether it means dressing for success for job and school interviews or owning a decent outfit for church on Sunday, the homeless and poor benefit from these vital, local resources."
Now, for its fifth season the coat drive is now accepting men’s dress clothes. Friedman noted, "The decision, which almost made itself, is a formidable leap-of-faith for me, the existing Coat Drive Dream Team volunteers, and my Tribune partners. I am, therefore, reaching-out for volunteers with SUVs or small trucks to assist with the effort."
"Key Dream Team members, who include Livingston residents Candi Samansky, Adam Slavitt, Wendy Slavitt and Bob Gebroe along with Montclair resident and my sister-in-law, Joyce Friedman, know how personally gratifying our work is.
"Plus, I can assure those who are contemplating stepping-up for the poor, homeless and disenfranchised, that they will meet cool and interesting folks.
"OK Livingston, where we enjoy an abundance of everything, let’s bring-on your donations. I’m thinking that thousands of warm coats, accessories and men’s dress clothes are just waiting to be dropped-off or picked-up."
Donations for this year's Livingston Coat Drive may be dropped off at the West Essex Tribune, 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to the ShopRite supermarket.
For private pick-up in Livingston or to volunteer, e-mail Jeff Friedman at jftv1@verizon.net; and in Montclair, e-mail Joyce Friedman at aquinnah98@aol.com.
Photo caption: Volunteers at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark accept and sort winter coats and men’s dress clothes donated by the Livingston Coat Drive.
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