WFSB 3 Connecticut

EARLY, INCREASED DEMAND FOR COATS FOR CONNECTICUT’S NEEDY

Public Urged to Donate Coats Now Through November 23

Middletown, CT – Unpredictable weather shifts and increased economic insecurity seem to be factors in an earlier than usual demand for cold weather outerwear by area shelters and community centers. In response, Best Cleaners has kicked off its 11th annual Coats For Connecticut community collection with an increased sense of urgency and a more streamlined, efficient collection process. The family-owned, Connecticut based drycleaning chain is still aiming to collect, clean and deliver tens of thousands of donated coats, as they have in past years, but to do so by concentrating the effort over one month instead of two. The first delivery of donated and cleaned coats was made before the official November 7 kickoff date with 700 items brought to local Salvation Army centers. The general public is encouraged to drop off gently-used coats and jackets by November 23 at any Best Cleaners location in Berlin, Bristol, Canton, Farmington, Glastonbury, Middletown, North Haven, Old Lyme, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and Windsor. Outerwear for all ages and in all sizes is needed, especially children’s coats.

Confidence in meeting the demand is high given the overwhelming generosity of the community at large and Best’s campaign partners. In addition to the Salvation Army, Coats For Connecticut sponsors include Eyewitness News WFSB-TV3, Young’s Printing/Fast Signs, and Two Men And A Truck. Their support of the campaign continues to increase awareness of the growing need in the community and the relative ease of donating to the program. Donations from schools, churches, and businesses conducting their own coat drives have also grown and have been a big factor in helping keep Connecticut warm. All donated coats are cleaned for free and delivered weekly to shelters and centers in Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London and Waterbury for distribution to individuals and families struggling to get through the cold winter months. Since the campaign’s inception in 2008, more than 107,700 coats have been collected, cleaned and delivered. The real appeal of the program is that people can donate freely without having to incur the expense or time to have items cleaned and delivered. Ultimately, more coats get to more people, more quickly.

For more information on the COATS FOR CONNECTICUT clothing drive go to www.coatsforct.org; for more on Best Cleaners go to www.bestcleaners.com; or call 1-888-950-BEST.