ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two recent giveaway events in Essex County pulled together thousands of free coats for local families in need.
Ocean State Job Lot, a discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island, delivered more than 2,500 winter coats to local veterans and families in need to American Legion Post #251 in East Orange last month, in partnership with Bookwell Travel and Project Freedom Villages. Die Cut Technology
The winter coat donation was part of the retailer’s Buy-Give-Get program, which ran from October through the end of December 2022. The program encouraged customers to buy a quality, brand-name men’s or women’s winter coat for a discounted price of $40 and “give it back” to the store for donation to a military veteran.
Meanwhile, Newark-based charter management organization BRICK Education Network and South Ward Promise Neighborhood partnered with Macy’s to host a third annual coat giveaway this weekend.
Nearly 750 winter coats – as well as hats and gloves – were distributed free of charge to Newark’s South Ward families at the event. Coats were purchased from Macy’s at discounted rates.
A Macy’s pop-up shop was set up at Greater Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Newark, and community members had a full retail experience, trying on clothes to bring home with them at no charge. Free health screenings were also available at the event.
“Seeing families leave our pop-up shop with quality coats, hats and gloves is truly heartwarming,” said Dominique Lee, founder and CEO of BRICK Education Network.
“The last three years have been challenging for so many, and it is so important to lift our community up during these difficult times,” said Nichelle Holder, chief program officer with South Ward Promise Neighborhood.
“It has been incredibly fulfilling each year to see families leave our pop-up shop with a new coat to help them through the cold winter months,” Holder said.
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