From left to right: Gary Reynolds, Shawn McCann, Laura Mullaly, Kevin Mullaly, Scott Franco, and Norm Ravagnani.

Best Cleaners sets record, collects 18,298 coats for The Salvation Army.

Middletown, CT – As frigid temperatures besieged the state, Best Cleaners wrapped up its ninth annual COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign this month, making the last delivery of donated coats to Salvation Army centers around the state, for a record breaking total of 18,298 coats processed by the family-owned business. The eight-week community collection kicked off on November 9 and ran through January 6. The general public was asked to donate gently-used winter coats and jackets at any of Best Cleaners’ 12 locations, where they were then cleaned and delivered each week to Salvation Army centers and shelters in Hartford, Middletown, Meriden, Bristol, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, New London, and Waterbury.

The extreme cold and expanded participation by local schools, youth groups, businesses, and Best’s campaign partners Eyewitness News WFSB-TV 3, Young’s Printing/FastSigns and Gorilla Graphics, contributed to another increase in the overall number of collected coats. WFSB collected over 600 coats in one day at their station headquarters, while many other local organizations also held their own collection events. The total value of the donated coats and drycleaning services combined is an estimated $519.000.

Prior to the official campaign kickoff, Best Cleaners had already delivered a few hundred winter coats to help an influx of evacuees from Puerto Rico. Hundreds have arrived in Connecticut seeking a safe haven from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. With that need continuing to grow, and temperatures dipping into negative numbers, Salvation Army centers have been experiencing a higher than usual demand for winter coats, jackets, and apparel. The COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign partnership allowed the coat donations to quickly reach families in shelters and feeding programs as well as individuals assisted through food pantries and holiday season programs.

For more information on the Coats for Connecticut clothing drive and Best Cleaners visit: www.bestcleaners.com