For the third season, through a contact made by Livingston resident and Springfield chiropractor Dr. Gary Hecht, students at Springfield’s Jonathan Dayton High School collected coats for Livingston Philanthropies. Philanthropies founder and director Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, along with Livingston business owner and volunteer Neil Greco and his new truck, accepted 216 warm coats from Club co-coordinator Jennifer Mortensen on behalf of the school.
Mortensen, who teaches biological sciences and special education and helps coordinates the high school’s Volunteer Club, is dedicated to helping the poor, homeless and disenfranchised. “We are so pleased to help make a difference,” she said.
The “major haul,” Friedman reported, was immediately delivered to Bessie Green Community in Newark, just in time for the freezing weather. Bessie Green is the 501(c)(3) orgnaiozation that serves the homeless at North Reformed Church, one of the Livingston Philanthropies’ founding distribution partners.
Philanthropies personnel met with school principal Norman Francis, Jr., Ed. D in his office. “At JDHS we strive to instill in our students the importance of community service,” Dr. Francis commented. “It is great to have a strong partnership with local charitable entities, that are willing to provide opportunities for our students to volunteer and make a difference. We are truly appreciative of the partnership between the JDHS Volunteer Club and Mr. Friedman.”
The Jonathan Dayton Volunteer Club, under the stewardship of Mortensen and her colleagues, will begin collecting toiletries and cosmetics for Livingston Philanthropies when school resumes after the holidays.
After-Christmas Sales
“I am reminding philanthropic Tribune readers about the wonderful after Christmas sales happening right now,” said the Coat Guy. “It’s the best time of the year to go ‘personal shopping for the homeless.’ The ‘giving season’ technically ended with Christmas. But the ‘homeless and freezing season’ continues through March. The poor, homeless and disenfranchised need coats, socks, toiletries – and just about everything else. Remember, dig deep in your closets, or, while out taking advantage of sales, ‘if you see something, buy something’ for the homeless.”
Donations of coats, winter accessories, toiletries, diapers, or feminine hygiene pads may be dropped at the West Essex Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to ShopRite. Donations may also be left at Ascend Physical Therapy in Montclair; and at the chiropractic offices of Dr. Gary Hecht in Springfield. Those unable to drop donations at the Philanthropies’ drop-off points may e-mail Friedman at jftv1@verizon.net for private pick-up.
Photos: A young boy named Sho received ...
