Moriches organizations collect coats for charity

In Center Moriches, residents were encouraged to donate any used coats they had.  Collected coats were then redistributed to people who need them to survive the harsh winter weather.  The organizations behind the various coat drives sought to help the communities they served with the donated coats.

Helping Makes U Happy encouraged people to bring coats to Carlos Pizza in Manorville and place them in a donation box so they could be collected.  Residents could also drop off coats in a “beige drop closet” in front of Helping Makes U Happy’s headquarters on Neville Street in Center Moriches.

“We collect coats every year until February,” Helping Makes U Happy co-founder Cassy Caputo said.  “We donated approximately 50 to the sheriff’s SMART Center and we also donate to St. John’s Place homeless shelters, Angels of Long Island, East End Hospice Thrift Store, and Lighthouse Mission. We keep some on hand to donate to people who reach out to us and to give to schools and counselors who also ask.”

The Presbyterian Church of the Moriches also collected coats throughout January. Donations may be dropped off at the church on Mondays between 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. 

“We ask that all donations are clean and in good condition,” church food pantry coordinator Dawn Murray said.

St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church held its own coat collection drive.  Residents were able to leave coats in bins found in the Our Lady Queen of Apostle parking lot, or donate the coats inside the church’s fellowship hall.

“St. John’s looks for coat donations year-round,” church parish social ministry coordinator Kate Spellman said.  “We have our Street Ministry that goes out into our community every Thursday night, so we are always looking for donations.  Donations are most welcome year-round; we look for winter coats now and lighter-weight coats in the spring.  Raincoats [are] most welcome, too!”

The Town of Brookhaven is also hosting annual coat donation drive, with this year’s coat drive lasting from Jan. 8 to Feb. 9.  Organized by the Brookhaven Youth Bureau, the drive distributes donated new and used coats to families in need throughout Brookhaven.  Moriches residents can make donations at the Moriches Bay Recreation Center on Frowein Road in Center Moriches.