Coats for Coffee Kicks off Monday

Have a lightly used winter coat? Does the thought of a young child in Rhode Island suffering in the cold without a proper coat upset you?

Here's how to help: bring a lightly used coat to Courtesy Cleaners in Cranston at 177 Sockanosset Cross Road between today and Nov. 3.

As the pleasant fall weather prepares to give way to the cold winter months, two local companies are once again stepping-up to help children and families stay warm. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence last week announced that Seven Stars Bakery and Courtesy Cleaners will soon be kicking-off their 6th annual “Coats for Coffee” drive.

Seven Stars Bakery and Courtesy Cleaners locations will collect gently-used winter coats for distribution to children and families in need through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. Last year’s effort generated over 500 coats, a goal the partners hope to exceed in 2013. 

“Being that many of our member families continue to struggle during these uncertain economic times, the Coats for Coffee drive is something we look forward to each year as we see first-hand the impact it has,” said Nicole Dufresne, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. “On behalf of those we serve, I applaud the continued generosity of Seven Stars Bakery and Courtesy Cleaners for giving back to our communities.”

Throughout the two-week drive, members of the community may visit any of Seven Stars Bakery’s three locations, as well as Courtesy Cleaners’ five stores, to donate a coat and receive a voucher for a free cup of locally-brewed coffee. “Coats for Coffee” began in 2008 and has grown each year since. In total, the collection, which is strategically timed to coincide with when many begin to think about winter clothing and go through their closets, has provided more than 2,100 coats to local families.

“As a local company, Seven Stars prides itself on being active in giving back to the community,” said Lynn Williams, Owner of Seven Stars Bakery. “We have seen this drive grow substantially since its first year, which is a direct result of our generous and loyal customers – I’m extremely hopeful that we’ll exceed our goal this year. 

As part of the initiative, Courtesy Cleaners is donating their services to prepare each garment for their new home. Courtesy will collect the donated coats from all of the drop-off locations and transport them to their facility in Johnston where they’ll dry clean each before delivering them to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Providence. The drive is also supported with the promotional assistance of Providence Monthly.

“I can’t think of a more important effort than one that helps children and families stay warm during the winter,” said Ed Ricci, Vice President of Sales for Courtesy Cleaners. “We are proud to be involved with this collection and do our part to give back to the community – it makes a real difference.”

Members of the community are encouraged to visit any one of Seven Stars’ three locations to make a donation: 342 Broadway in Providence; 820 Hope Street on Providence’s East Side; and 20 Newman Avenue in Rumford.

Donations will also be accepted at each Courtesy Cleaners’ location: 177 Sockanosset Crossroad in Cranston; 1000 Division Road at East Greenwich Square; 1385 Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence; 139 Pitman Street on Providence’s East Side; and 1889 Post Road in Warwick. Adult and children’s size coats will be accepted.