With this season’s coat drive officially over, the Livingston Philanthropies has switched its focus to collecting toiletries for the poor, homeless, and disenfranchised. “Let the toiletries and cosmetics flow!” said Jeff Friedman, founder and director of Livingston Philanthropies.
“Although we’re officially done with the coat drive outreach, coat donations continue to arrive,” Friedman said. “Our total for this seventh season is now over 1,800 warm coats and jackets donated, along with a myriad of winter accessories and hundreds of hand-knit items created by the National Council of Jewish Women/Essex County Section knitting group. Teacher Jennifer Mortensen and her volunteering club at Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield were major contributors again this year, as well.”
With April underway, Friedman said, “it’s all about small size toiletries, new cosmetics, diapers in sizes 4, 5, and 6, and gently used men’s clothing.”
Friedman recounted, “As a direct result of Livingston’s generous residents, Philanthropies volunteers distributed well over 100 toiletries gift bags to the homeless at Peter Francisco Park in Newark’s Ironbound section on Easter Day. Community, church and family groups arrive at the park on Sundays, year ’round, to feed and clothe the homeless and poor. As many soup kitchens are closed on Sunday, the homeless around Penn Station – and there are plenty – congregate at Peter Francisco with the anticipation of a decent meal and a bit of fellowship. It’s called ‘food insecurity,’ which I find a scary term.”
Friedman took the opportunity to thank “the good folks at Livingston’s Temple Beth Shalom for their continued donations of coats, men’s dress clothes and toiletries,” and recounted an additional instance of charity by temple members.
“This week, they asked if I know anyone who may want five frozen turkeys,” Friedman said. “Within the hour, I heard back from Barbara Van Hassel, executive director of the Bessie Green Community in Newark, a frequent recipient of Livingston’s extraordinary philanthropy. ‘We’ll take those turkeys,’ she said. ‘Once a month, we try to serve a turkey dinner, complete with the fixin’s. Thank you!’ The frozen birds were delivered to Bessie Green, along with coats and men’s clothing. What a great coincidence, and what perfect timing!”
Livingston Philanthropies is requesting hotel/travel sized shampoo, conditioner, soap, tooth brushes, tooth paste, mouth wash, deodorant, razors, cotton swabs, body wash, lotion, baby diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6, and more.Donations may be dropped at the West Essex Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue,
