Generous Livingston residents stepped up during the Livingston Coat Drive’s “150 Men’s Coats in Five Days” campaign for a distribution event conducted by Samaritan Outreach Services (SOS) of Newark. As the Tribune went to press Tuesday morning, Coat Drive founder and coordinator Jeff Friedman reported that he had collected a total of 133 coats “and counting,” and, with a few more last-minute pick-ups scheduled that morning, fully expected to meet or exceed the 150-coat goal by the time the SOS delivery truck arrived at his home Tuesday afternoon.
The total, Friedman noted, included coats from Livingston resident Dr. Gary Hecht, who collects winter coats and accessories at his professional office in Springfield. The warm coats and accessories were given to those most in need on Tuesday evening, November 24, in Newark. The Coat Guy has welcomed SOS as the Livingston Coat Drive's most recent distribution partner. Samaritan Outreach Services is a recognized 501c3 charity.
The Livingston Coat Drive has received some "interesting" items over the years. But this week's donations caused Friedman, known locally as the "Coat Guy," to issue a respectful request to the community. He has asked that donations be limited to winter coats for the family, hats, gloves and scarves, along with men's businesswear – suits, sports jackets, dress slacks, dress shirts, and neckties. "Naturally, the poor and homeless need everything," noted the Coat Guy. "But it's all about volume vs. available space in Coat Drive Central, a.k.a. my garage. I just can't handle more at this time. Especially items like bras, football helmets, and old tee shirts. Yup, I've unpacked these beauties lately, too!"
He continued, "We've been collectively denying it during a relatively balmy November, but the cold weather is now officially here. Weather Underground predicts evening temperatures in the 30s this weekend. The Coat Drive needs generous donations right now. For those who have not yet surveyed their closets, attics, garages and basements, the time is now. Join your many friends and neighbors who are making warmth happen for folks who have nothing. Zero. And who are just minutes away."
In other Coat Drive news, Friedman reported that "Bob Gebroe, a loyal Coat Drive volunteer from almost the very beginning, recently completed recovery from surgery. In an e-mail he sent me this week, Bob requested an immediate return to active duty. He will be ‘activated’ to the sorting crew very soon, and we are thrilled to welcome him ...
