"The stats are in, just in time for the first December edition of the West Essex Tribune. The Livingston Coat Drive has donated some 714 coats, along with 145 men’s suits, sport jackets and dress slacks in 11 deliveries, totaling 859 gently used and new garments," announced Jeff Friedman, Coat Drive founder and coordinator. Friedman, known affectionately as "the Coat Guy," noted that the count does not include shirts and ties.
The new effort in collecting men's business attire has been very successful, Friedman added, explaining that the clothes help recipients make a good impression at job interviews. Just recently, 84 men's suits were delivered to the North Reformed Church in Newark.
"At this time last year, the total stood at 523 coats in five deliveries," Friedman said. "We were not 'officially' handling men's business attire last season. The reality was another story. Many fine suits and men's dress items passed through our hands on their way to others."
He continued, "I'm sometimes asked where our donations go. The Livingston Coat Drive has multiple distribution partners, mostly in Newark and East Orange. This season, so far, our Newark deliveries went to North Reformed Church, Willing Hearts, Newark Emergency Services and Samaritan Outreach Services. In East Orange, we visited the Family Success Center and United Missionary Baptist Church. Both have been respected distribution partners since our first collection season in 2011-12."
Donating to the Livingston Coat Drive is fast becoming the "thing to do," noted the Coat Guy. "As I like to say, why not re-allocate resources? It’s really not a huge effort for those who want to have a look/see right now. Or maybe during half-time works?"
Now in its fifth year, the Livingston Coat Drive is expanding into other communities, Friedman reported.
Chiropractor and Livingston resident Dr. Gary Hecht, who has offices in Springfield, continues to collect warm coats and accessories there to benefit the Livingston Coat Drive. Recently, Dr. Hecht’s contribution of men's coats came just in time for the "150 Men's Coats in Five Days" campaign. Collection in Springfield continues.
In Montclair, a long-sought new drop-off location has been found through the efforts of the Coat Guy's sister-in-law, Joyce Friedman, who coordinates Coat Drive activities in that town. Details will be announced next week. In the meantime, she continues to do private pick-ups in Montclair.
In Roseland, West Orange Jewelers at 16 Eisenhower Parkway, is in its second year as a drop-off location. Residents in ...
