The Livingston Coat Drive and Toiletries Challenge, initiatives of Livingston Philanthropies, reports that coat donations currently sit at 1,400. The last two charitable seasons yielded almost 2,300 warm coats each year, reports Philanthropies founder and director Jeff Friedman. “Based on the extreme and ongoing need, volunteers are continuing to reach out to generous Livingston residents for warm, gently used or new coats and jackets, including winter accessories like hats, scarves and gloves,” he says.
Friedman, who has become known popularly as the “Coat Guy” continues, “Although the temperatures are above freezing right now, is anyone going out without a coat or jacket? I think not, because it’s still cold out there. We can only imagine – or maybe we can’t – living out on the cold streets, night after night, sleeping under transit underpasses, in doorways, along the Passaic River, or other places where the perception of relative safety exists. In our time of working with the homeless, we have learned that many choose the outdoors over homeless shelters, because the shelters can be such dangerous places themselves. Some of these people have no coat at all, while others have virtual rags. These folks need the real thing just to survive.”
Friedman emphasizes that donated coats go almost immediately to people who need them. “I recall making a delivery to Newark Emergency Services on Broad Street last year,” says the Coat Guy. “There she was – an older lady, clearly poor and most likely homeless, repairing her ragged black coat with black electrical tape. As we were hauling in some 100 winter coats at the time, this lovely woman had first dibs to pick exactly what she wanted. She was smiling and commenting while performing a bit of an impromptu fashion show. When it was all over, she exited with warmth and style.
“The point is, our philanthropic Livingston residents helped create this scenario and so many other happy stories as well. It’s so easy to change lives by simply re-allocating our resources. Many people here in Livingston have extra winter coats and jackets. Winter accessories, too. Frankly, it’s just not that difficult to have a quick look-see at home, and donate what you’re not using. Bring items to Philanthropies partner the West Essex Tribune, or e-mail me at jftv1@verizon.net to arrange for private pick-up. And, of course, my heartfelt thanks to those who have already donated!”
Livingston Philanthropies is also in dire need ...
