Coats Galore! 905 More People Have Coats Thanks to Y Members and the Community

As another winter storm approaches, we can’t help but think of all of the people out there who might be without a coat to keep them warm. That won’t be the case for 905 more people in Somerset County thanks to a coat drive run by the Somerset Valley YMCA. A call for warm coats was made, and the community poured in with coats for all ages.  

The Bridgewater Branch served as a collection point for a statewide coat drive spearheaded by Jersey Cares, a nonprofit group that engages volunteers and addresses community needs.

For three months, Y members, staff and people in the neighborhood streamed in with coats, which they dropped off in a collection box in the Bridgewater Branch’s building lobby.

“We were excited to see so many coats keep coming in,” said Jennifer Sanocki, membership director in Bridgewater. “All of our staff pitched in to help sort and bag them and take them to a distribution center where they were then sent to local residents who needed them. We were happy to be able to play a part in keeping people warm during this exceptionally, cold, snowy winter.”

Jersey Cares’ 18th Annual Coat Drive overall collected 25,000 coats during the period between November and Feb. 7, when the drive officially ended.

“We are so pleased that the Somerset Valley YMCA was able to provide such a generous donation to our drive. That’s 905 people who needed coats who got them,” said Andrea Shuba, at Jersey Cares, which is based in Newark.

All of the coats collected in Somerset County go back to county residents through partner agencies and organizations, including churches, food banks and community organizations that serve those in need, according to Shuba..

The Y, a nonprofit membership organization, exists to serve its community, and to improve lives. This is the second consecutive  year the Y has taken part in the coat drive.

“Partnering with Jersey Cares gives us another opportunity to give back and support our neighbors,” said Valerie Giacopelli, Somerset Valley YMCA Interim CEO.  “We are here to help people overcome obstacles and bridge gaps in our community.  We thank our members and the community for making our coat drive such a success and ensuring that everyone stays warmer this winter.”