The Livingston Coat Drive received a "nice load" of coats from a collection held by the Livingston Football Parents' Association (LFPA) at the Lancer home football games on October 16 and 23. "The timing could not be better, with evening low temperatures predicted to be in the 30s," said Coat Drive founder and coordinator Jeff "The Coat Guy" Friedman of Livingston.
This year marks the third year the LFPA has been part of the Livingston Coat Drive effort.
Also marking its third year of working with the Livingston Coat Drive is St. Philomena Church in Livingston. The church's Sharing Office will, under the leadership of Sister Barbara Howard, be promoting the Coat Drive in the parish bulletin and encouraging parishioners to drop off coats at the Sharing Office or at the Tribune office.
New this year to the Coat Drive is Livingston resident Dr. Gary Hecht, a chiropractor with offices in Springfield. Dr. Hecht, explained the Coat Guy, has conducted his own coat drive at his practice for the past five years. This year, he noted, "Instead of donating those coats to a huge statewide entity, Dr. Hecht will send them directly to us for immediate distribution to those who need them the most."
The Coat Drive's volunteer "Dream Team" include returning volunteers Bob Gebroe and Candi Samansky of Livingston, and the Coat Guy's sister-in-law, Joyce Friedman of Montclair. Joining the "team" this year are former Livingston residents and Livingston High School alumnae Debbi Riccardello and Laura Sheppard.
So far, the Livingston Coat Drive has made a total of three deliveries, with the total number of coats collected now into the hundreds. Coats, accessories, and men’s dress clothes have gone to three of the Coat Drive's distribution partners: the United Reformed Baptist Church and the Family Success Center, both in East Orange, and Newark Emergency Services.
With fall in full swing and winter not far behind, said Friedman, "We're in need of warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens right now. Lots of good-hearted folks have already been pitching in, for which we're quite grateful. But we need to keep that momentum going."
Coats, warm winter accessories, and men's dress clothing (including new and gently used sports jackets, slacks, shirts, and ties) are being accepted during business hours at the offices of Coat Drive partner the West Essex Tribune, 495 South Livingston Avenue, Livingston, and at West Orange Jewelers, located at 16 Eisenhower Parkway in Roseland. For ...
