With an expanded volunteer workforce, the Livingston Coat Drive, thus far, has been able to make 15 deliveries to multiple distribution partners, announced its founder and coordinator, Jeff "the Coat Guy" Friedman of Livingston. At press time, he predicted that a total of 1,000 coats and hundreds of men’s suits and sport jackets, along with many bags of winter accessories, including scarves, hats and gloves, will have been delivered by this Friday, December 18.
Friedman recalled a personal encounter at a recent drop-off. "With Joyce [Friedman, his sister-in-law and a Coat Drive volunteer], we brought some 135 warm coats and assorted accessories to the conference room outside of the business manager's office, at the offices of Newark mayor Ras J. Baraka," he recounted. "Newark resident Pamela Gwynn, along with others, was waiting there to see a city official. Pamela told us that she badly needs a winter coat, so Joyce pulled out a brand new Shearling that we had admired earlier during the process of preparing and delivering. I helped her on with it, and the Shearling fit perfectly… like it had her name in it. Then, Joyce added a matching scarf and hat that created a beautiful motif. Ms. Gwynn was thrilled, and with her very special outgoing personality, exclaimed, 'This is my Christmas present to myself.' We had fun because we rarely get to see the final recipients of Livingston’s generosity. We loved her."
It all started Sunday, December 6, when Friedman attended a charity presentation breakfast and was seated with Staci Hillsman, South Ward aide to the mayor of Newark. "I told Staci about our coat drive, and she immediately jumped on it," Friedman explained. "On Friday, with Joyce, we delivered 135 warm coats, along with bags of winter accessories, to Hillsman at the mayor’s office. She plans to distribute the coats and accessories throughout the wards in Newark.
"I spoke with the chief of staff to mayor Baraka – his brother, Amiri Seku Baraka. Commenting about receiving the coats, he said, 'That's the reason we got elected, to help people.' "
The Livingston Coat Drive also delivered multiple loads of coats to North Reformed Church and the Willing Hearts Community Care Center, both in Newark. "While we – Joyce and I – have been to Willing Hearts many times, this time we were able to chat with program director Maryanna Williford to learn about the diverse outreach they offer to the ...
