Although the winter has been mild, nighttime temperatures this week are forecast to drop into the 20s, and Livingston Philanthropies Inc. is continuing its appeal for warm coats. “Those living out on the streets, in shelters and other not-so-nice places need warm coats, jackets, hats, scarves and gloves immediately,” said Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman, founder and director of the Livingston-based charity. “LPI is reaching out again to our philanthropic neighbors.”
The early part of the week was mild, but, said Friedman, “Temperatures are dropping into the 20s starting Thursday night. The need is huge. It’s the hard, cruel world on the cold streets.”
Livingston’s donations, added Friedman, “are being worn by folks who truly need them, within a few days of the items being dropped off at the offices of the West Essex Tribune. Donations may be dropped off at the Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to ShopRite, during business hours. Or, to make other arrangements for moving donations, residents can send me an email at njhomeless@aol.com.”
Friedman continued, “I generally keep a few men’s XL and 2XL sizes on hand in our new LPI van. It doesn’t take long to eyeball a big guy or two who is not wearing enough winter protection. The 2XL men, in particular, are more than thrilled to receive a coat in their correct size, which actually fits and is heavy enough to keep them warm. And it’s all thanks to Livingston’s generosity.”
The weather has been warmer than usual, Friedman conceded, but, he said, “It is still coat weather. Many of us wear winter coats when temperatures are in the 40s. Can you imagine not having a nice coat or jacket to wear in our current ‘chilling’ weather? Unthinkable, maybe, for us. For the homeless, it’s often just reality.”
Friedman concluded, “It’s all about the reallocation of resources from the ‘haves’ to the ‘have-nots.’ It simply makes good sense to share. I’d like to close with the words of contemporary American singer/songwriter, Lauren Daigle, who noted, ‘I consider the homeless just as important as the richest of the rich.’ ”
Photo: Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) founder, Jeff Friedman, and LPI volunteer Alan Levin of Livingston recently delivered a van full of coats and men’s business attire to the professionals at long-time distribution associate Newark Emergency Services for Families (NESF). NESF’s mission is “to stabilize families and individuals in crisis, especially the working poor, homeless and ...
