Editor’s Note: This week, Livingston Philanthropies Inc. (LPI) founder and director Jeff “the Coat Guy” Friedman explains the organization’s upcoming fur and leather sale to benefit LPI’s work with the homeless.
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By Jeff Friedman
When receiving a thoughtful local donation of warm coats and other items for the “poor, homeless and disenfranchised,” Livingston Philanthropies, Inc. (LPI) was presented with a brand new, men’s leather winter coat. The tag with the hefty price tag was still attached.
The generous Livingston couple who donated it mentioned that perhaps, “LPI’s upcoming fur sale can include men’s and women’s leather, too.” My initial thought was “what a brilliant idea.”
We receive beautiful men’s and women’s leather jackets and coats on a regular basis over at LPI World Headquarters (a.k.a. my garage). Livingston’s continued support is turned into immediate delivery to our distribution partners as part of LPI’s regular coat deliveries during the cool and cold weather. Now, for our upcoming sale, we are respectfully asking for old and unused furs, and both men’s and women’s, gently used or new, leather coats and jackets.
The second annual LPI Fur and Leather Extravaganza will announce a sale date soon, to be scheduled in October or November. Please consider donating old, unneeded and unused furs – and leathers – to Livingston Philanthropies for our upcoming sale. It’s about generating dollars for LPI’s vehicle fund and also to purchase items like new socks, underwear, gloves, hats and more for our state’s poorest residents, the profoundly destitute.
As regular Tribune readers know, warm coats, winter accessories, toiletries, new cosmetics, diapers, women’s products, and more, are badly need every week. Please don’t forget our popular “Personal Shopping for the Homeless” initiative. Folks living way below the poverty line need everything, and sales are rampant online and in stores. It’s fun and easy to shop for the homeless. Remember, “If you see something, buy something.”
Please drop donations at the offices of our partner, Livingston’s West Essex Tribune, located at 495 South Livingston Avenue, next to ShopRite. Or, send me an email at njhomeless@aol.com for direct delivery to LPI “World Headquarters” in Livingston.
Finally, and importantly, LPI continues to need new volunteers. I’m thrilled to welcome our newest volunteer, long-time Livingston resident Alan Wishengrad, who contacted me after reading about our need in last week’s Tribune. Alan, who thankfully owns a large SUV, joined me on a big delivery to long-time distribution partner, Willing Heart Community ...
