coat drive

The Livingston Coat Drive received a "nice load" of coats from a collection held by the Livingston Football Parents' Association (LFPA) at the Lancer home football games on October 16 and 23. "The timing could not be better, with evening low temperatures predicted to be in the 30s," said Coat Drive founder and coordinator Jeff "The Coat Guy" Friedman of Livingston.
This year marks the third year the LFPA has been part of the Livingston Coat Drive effort.
Also marking its third year of working with the Livingston Coat Drive is St. Philomena Church in Livingston. The church's Sharing Office will, under the leadership of Sister Barbara Howard, be promoting the Coat Drive in the parish bulletin and encouraging parishioners to drop off coats at the Sharing Office or at the Tribune office.

The Livingston Coat Drive is "chugging along well," according to its organizer, Jeff "The Coat Guy" Friedman. "We have an immediate need for warm coats and winter accessories, as always," he notes. "We've been doing well so far, but it is only October, and we have a long way to go before coat season is over."
Meanwhile, two Livingston churches have stepped up to help the cause. "Lourdes Aboud and Pat McChesney, co-managers of St. Peter’s Thrift Shop at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, reached out this week," said Friedman. "They will donate coats and accessories. And, to my surprise, two badly needed coat racks. Badly needed – because I don't have any! Thanks, ladies!"

The Livingston Coat Drive, founded and conducted by Livingston resident Jeff “The Coat Guy” Friedman, has made its first official delivery of the 2015-16 season, to North Reformed Church on Broad Street in Newark. The delivery included 20 winter coats, along with 36 high-quality men’s suits and sports jackets; this year's drive is also collecting new and gently used men's dress clothes.
North Reformed Church is now in its fourth year as a key distribution partner for the Livingston Coat Drive, notes Friedman. “The church runs a food pantry/soup kitchen and clothes closet for those far less fortunate than most of us. North Reformed Church distributes hundreds of hot meals along with badly needed men’s, women’s and children’s clothing each week. This is in keeping with their strong community values and mission to help people of deep economic and social need. Their stated goal is 'to love each other as we spur each other on toward love and good deeds.’ ”

The Livingston Coat Drive, now commencing its fifth season, has already “blasted-off” to a great start. A number of winter coats, along with men’s dress clothing, have been dropped at the office of coat drive partner West Essex Tribune. Coat Drive organizer Jeff Friedman, known locally as the “Coat Guy,” plans to build on the success of last year’s collection of 2,200+ warm coats, along with hundreds of scarves, hats and gloves. “All signs and forecasts for 2015-16 indicate that a banner year is ahead,” Friedman said.

Livingston resident Jeff Friedman, coordinator of the annual Livingston Coat Drive, is already gearing up for the collection, which will get underway in October.
"With Labor Day behind us, folks in Livingston will be thinking about switching over to their fall wardrobes soon," said Friedman. "And while they are going through their closets, I hope they'll think about donating any unwanted winter coats or cold weather accessories they come across."
He added, "It's still summer outside, but fall is coming fast, and before we know it, it will be coat season."
The 2015-16 Coat Drive has, in fact, already welcomed its first donation; two bags containing several coats were dropped off at the Tribune office earlier this week.
In addition to putting out a "heads up" on coat donations, Friedman – known popularly as the "Coat Guy" – has also put out a call for volunteers with trucks, SUVs, and station wagons to help transport the coats.

Jeff Friedman, known affectionately as the "Livingston Coat Guy," organized a special warm weather delivery to Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry and Clothes Closet in Newark on May 18. Following is his account of how the delivery came about.
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It all happened quickly. Adam Slavitt, a longtime member of the Coat Guy Dream Team, stopped at my house for a surprise visit on Friday afternoon. He was contacted by a Livingston business, Likewear, located on South Livingston Avenue and operated by Lisa and Ken Gold. The Golds had at least 15 boxes of new kids' clothing and accessories to donate to those who are in such great need.

The 2014-15 Livingston Coat Drive has officially ended for the season, announced founder and coordinator Jeff Friedman of Livingston. A total of 2,130 warm coats, along with multitudes of accessories, were donated to the needy over the course of 23 deliveries. This season's effort topped last year's total of 1,466 by 664 coats.
The Coat Drive has grown each year, noted Friedman, who is known affectionately as the "Coat Guy." An estimated 300 coats were collected during the first Coat Drive during the winter of 2011-12. The second year, a total of 421 coats was collected. The following year, the total more than tripled, to 1,466. This year's count of 2,130 brings the total number of coats donated and distributed to 4,317.

The Livingston Coat Drive is now winding down for the season, announced founder Jeff Friedman of Livingston. Friedman, known popularly as "The Coat Guy," explained, "Final donations are still arriving at the West Essex Tribune office and through private pick-up. This means there will be one more delivery prior to the conclusion of an ever-growing effort to provide warmth to the poor, homeless and disenfranchised."
Along with Coat Drive "Dream Team" volunteer Candi Samansky of Livingston, Friedman delivered 64 warm coats and assorted accessories to the North Reformed Church on Broad Street in Newark. "I've learned that North Reformed Church is a major provider of food and clothing to the poor in homeless in downtown Newark," noted Friedman. "So I return there often, because they always need and appreciate new 'stock.' "

The Livingston Coat Drive has been extended into March to continue providing assistance as the freezing weather continues, announced founder and coordinator Jeff Friedman. Friedman, known affectionately as the “Coat Guy,” noted, “It’s not too late to donate gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves to the needy. In fact, it’s never too late to help those who are far beyond ‘less fortunate!’ ”
This week’s delivery of 73 warm coats to the Bethany Baptist Church Food Pantry/Clothes Closet in Newark included the 2,000th coat collected. “This brings this season’s total to 2,032,” said Friedman. “Bethany was also the recipient of multiple bags of winter boots and other winter accessories that are so badly needed, especially this winter – although the compelling need exists every winter.”