United Way Seeks Winter Coats for Individuals in Need – TAPinto.net

MORRISTOWN, N.J. – United Way of Northern New Jersey and its community partners are seeking the assistance of Sussex County residents and businesses to purchase new coats and winter apparel for those in need during the annual Gift of Warmth drive. In order to streamline the process, Gift of Warmth is going virtual this year, allowing donors to make purchases from the comfort of their homes and ensuring the right sizes and quantities are received.

For local children and adults who don’t have coats, hats or gloves, the winter months present a challenge to stay warm. Donated coats and winter apparel will help ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) residents and those in poverty. Despite working hard, ALICE is living paycheck to paycheck, unable to afford the basics.

Gift of Warmth is an annual drive held by United Way, the New Jersey Herald and area social services agencies. To support Gift of Warmth, residents and businesses can go to UnitedWayNNJ.org/GiftofWarmth and select from one of United Way’s partners’ customized donation links to make a purchase. For those who prefer to make a cash donation, contributions can be made online or mailed.

“For this year’s Gift of Warmth drive, residents and businesses can avoid long lines at the store and driving to a drop-off location,” United Way Community Impact Coordinator Sean Hyland said. “They can simply log onto our website, make a purchase that is directly shipped to a partner agency and know they are helping to keep ALICE warm during the winter months.”

United Way research shows that nearly 15,000 Sussex County households qualify as ALICE or in poverty. These households cannot afford life’s basic necessities of housing, food, health care, child care and transportation and are one emergency away from falling into financial ruin.

Residents and businesses can also show their support by mailing a check to: United Way of Northern New Jersey, P.O. Box 1948, Morristown, NJ 07962. Checks should be payable to United Way of Northern New Jersey with “Gift of Warmth” written in the memo line.

For more information about Gift of Warmth, email Sean.Hyland@UnitedWayNNJ.org, visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org/GiftofWarmth or call 973.993.1160 x405.

About United Way of Northern New Jersey
United Way of Northern New Jersey is a nonprofit organization fighting to improve life for families and individuals in our five-county footprint who are ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) or in poverty. We believe when those who are struggling to afford the basics can succeed, all communities win. By focusing on Education, Financial Stability, and Health, we are helping ALICE now and in the long term. We do this through our initiatives that fill gaps in services, community partnerships, public policy work, and volunteer efforts. United Way of Northern New Jersey serves Morris, Somerset, Sussex, and Warren counties as well as portions of suburban Essex County including the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Fairfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, Millburn-Short Hills, Montclair, Roseland, and Verona. To learn more, call 973.993.1160 or visit www.UnitedWayNNJ.org.