Livingston Coat Drive volunteers prepared for last weekend’s “beyond freezing” temperatures by delivering 70 winter coats and several big bags of winter accessories to United Missionary Baptist Church in East Orange. “United Missionary Baptist has been a Coat Drive distribution associate since day one, some five years ago,” noted Coat Drive founder and coordinator Jeff “The Coat Guy” Friedman. “While the city’s major food and coat closet operations provide vital services to large groups, smaller, local churches like United Missionary Baptist are doing this important community work, too.”
The Coat Guy recounted, “During the delivery to United Missionary Baptist, with Coat Drive volunteer and former Livingston resident, Laura Sheppard, we met with the Reverend Michael Sykes, pastor, and his associate, Deaconess Sophie Hill, who coordinated the delivery for the church. When Deaconess Hill received the delivery call from the Coat Drive, and knowing that frigid weather was just days away, she immediately got on the phone to arrange for Saturday morning distribution at the church. ‘I called folks right away to help out,’ she said.”
Friedman continued, “Rev. Sykes told me, ‘Our mission is to feed the poor and clothe the naked. What you are doing will help so many this weekend. And I’m moved by the price tags.’ Price tags? That’s where the success of our Personal Shopping for Homeless initiative revealed itself. Upon opening bags in the Church’s basement day care center while helping with sorting chores, brand-new coats, accessories, hats and socks appeared – complete with original tags attached. The Reverend continued to shake his head in amazement as each new coat and package of socks was presented.”
This, he added, “is local, grass-roots stuff. Right here in town. Laura Sheppard summed it up succinctly while at the church when she said, ‘I think it’s fabulous that kids will now be warm.’ ”
Friedman stated, “Thank you, Livingston! Our residents, with assistance from Joyce Friedman, Ascend Physical Therapy and DanceWorks Studios in Montclair and Dr. Gary Hecht in Springfield, have really stepped up to help the homeless. I’d also like to thank our volunteers, Laura Sheppard, Candi Samansky and Debbi Riccardello. And last, but clearly not least, a special tip-of-the-Coat Guy-hat to the Coat Drive’s ever-steady partner, the West Essex Tribune.”
Friedman also mentioned that the Coat Drive received another cache of hand-knitted winter items made by the Creative Hands knitting group of the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section. “Their ...
