Editor’s Note: This week, Livingston Philanthropies founder and director Jeff Friedman explains, in his own words, his organization’s Toiletries Challenge outreach.
By Jeff Friedman
Livingston Philanthropies has declared May (including this last week in April) as “Toiletries and Cosmetics Challenge Month” here in Livingston. Livingston Philanthropies volunteers are asking our ever-generous residents to step-up with new, hotel and travel-sized toiletries and cosmetics, as well as baby wipes and diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6, along with feminine hygiene pads.
The Philanthropies is asking Livingston’s religious, fraternal and civic organizations to run their own “Toiletries and Cosmetics Challenge Month” in May. Why not start right now, at the end of April? And what about public and private schools? I’m thinking that collecting these much-needed items will be a fun and fulfilling project, either in a single classroom or as a school-wide initiative.
David Letterman is gone from the airwaves, but we continue to be fans of “Top Ten” lists. Here are the Top Ten Reasons why both Livingston’s organizations and individuals should get involved:
10: It’s easy and fun for Livingston’s stellar benevolent organizations to reach out to members in May.
9: Toiletries, en masse, smell good.
8: It’s a fulfilling project for churches, temples and their associated religious schools.
7: Shrinks tell us that we are happier with less stuff.
6: It’s quick and easy for religious congregants and fraternal organization members to donate extra and unneeded toiletries and cosmetics.
5: May is the perfect time for a classroom or school-wide “Toiletries and Cosmetics Challenge.”
4: Hundreds of people, just minutes away, do not have access to these most basic of items.
3: Joining the townwide effort is eminently doable and not time-consuming.
2: Re-allocating resources from those who enjoy plenty to those who have nothing is not a bad concept to consider.
and,
1: Toiletries are – thankfully – much lighter than coats!
I will be remiss if I don’t mention we’re also collecting men’s dress clothes, including suits, sports coats, dress slacks, dress shirts, and neckties. It’s not only graduation season, but there are also job interviews, weddings and funerals. The quality of Livingston’s donated garments is unsurpassed and greatly appreciated by those who could never have access to them.
I wish Tribune readers could visit Coat Drive Central, (a.k.a. my garage) to see the 28 high-quality suits on the rack right now, along with dress shirts. They’ll go to North Reformed Church’s newly expanded “Clothes Barn” in Newark for immediate free shopping by ...
