Donations sought for winter coat program

As the weather turns cold, Democratic committees in three towns are urging area residents to donate to Coats for Kids.The Swampscott, Nahant and Marblehead Democratic town committees are urging residents of each community to collect winter coats for the needy as part of Anton’s Cleaners in its annual Coats For Kids program.The mission of Coats for Kids is to supply a winter coat for anyone who needs one. Anton’s Cleaners, which has 43 locations in Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire, is accepting new and gently used winter coats. Since its inception in 1994, the program has collected, cleaned and distributed more than 620,000 winter coats to the needy.Swampscott Democratic Town Committee Chairman Ralph Edwards said he hopes area residents will use the coat drive as an opportunity to clean out their closets and pass on any gently worn winter coats.”In these challenging times, it’s important to help each other as well as be involved in voting and in governing,” Edwards said. “Swampscott citizens have been generous in donating food to our monthly Reduce Hunger project. We hope that they will be equally generous in the Coats for Kids drive.”Marblehead Democratic Town Committee Chairman Phil Sweeney said in this economy many people are hurting and in need.”Some number of years ago the three towns started a tri-town holiday party,” Sweeney said. “We thought as a group that too often local committees spend their time on state and national issues. We need to make a contribution locally so we have food drives and are collecting coats ? People aren’t aware how many kids out there don’t have what they need, especially in this economy.”Nahant Democratic Town Committee Chairman Jim Walsh said the town committees believe service is important.”The Coats for Kids project is an extension of our food drives,” Walsh said. “We think we should all do we can to help each other.”Anton’s Cleaners CEO Charles Anton said thousands of people in the area lack warm winter clothing.”The goal of Coats for Kids is to make certain that the strong demand for warm coats is matched by the even stronger generosity of our neighbors throughout the region,” Anton said.Anton’s Cleaners Chief Operating Officer Arthur Anton Jr. said the need is real.”When we realized how much need there is in this area we decided to try to help meet the need for warm winter coats,” he said.Swampscott resident Laura Coppola Spathanas, who is coordinating the project for the SDTC, said coats would be collected now through Dec. 30.”Winter is cold. Donate warmth,” Spathanas said. “We welcome gently used coats for adults and children. I hope that everyone will help.”Coats may be dropped off at the Swampscott Public Library, 59 Burrill St., the Spathanas residence, 43 Berkshire St., Swampscott or any Jordan’s Furniture.