Temperatures are dropping and for most of us-grabbing a jacket to wear is as simple as opening the closet. Imagine coming to the Midwest for the first time, after leaving your home with nothing…and then having to face a Chicago freeze.
It Takes A Village…or two or three!
Rotary Club of Deerfield's annual “Coat Off Your Back” drive is being joined this year by the Glenview Sunrise Club, Glenview Club, Northbrook Club and Two Men and A Truck to expand the reach as the need grows.
“Refugees are settling in the Midwest during our most challenging season, but we are ready to help!” says event chair Rick Rosenfeld of Glenview Sunrise Rotary, echoed by Sandy Frum, president of the Rotary Club of Northbrook and Deerfield Club President Kent Street.
The goal is to make sure that local refugees settling organizations such as Women and Children and Homeless – Connections for the Homeless; PADS of Lake County; Wings; North Shore Helpers; Veterans – The Veterans Closet; Refugees – Refugee One; World Relief; HIAS; ECC; Stock the Shelves; Deerfield Free Store have a great supply to distribute to all ages.
This drive is collecting new or like-new Winter coats for infants, children, teens, and adults they serve.
“So many of us annually sort through and buy updated coats, jackets, and other winter outerwear. This year – as you go through your previous season winterwear - consider donating to Coat Off Your Back! Our teams of volunteers are processing them immediately to get them in the hands of families now.
We encourage you to purchase new items to donate as well.”
The Coat Off Your Back drive will begin on November 1st and runs through December 15th
Chair Rick Rosenfeld, who is a local business owner of Journey Softly, and Rotarian, has put together a team and process that will coordinate the pickup the coats from drop-off sites, sort and size for distribution. Other businesses are getting involved to help as well.
Two Men and a Truck jumped in last year and are now a co-sponsor and transport lead. Owner Brian Stern says, “We are thrilled to be part of this important cause! Transportation is a key requirement for getting the hundreds of donations delivered to sorting centers, and then to the organizations who distribute them.”
Donation bins for the Rotary Clubs’ “Coat Off Your Back” drive can be found throughout the Village of Deerfield, Northbrook and Glenview at the following locations through December 15th:
o Deerfield Public Library
o Patty Turner Senior Center
o Sachs Recreation Center
o Deerfield High School
- Northbrook Village Hall
- Northbrook Library
- Sunset Foods (Northbrook)
- Weiss Ace Hardware (Glenview-on Waukegan)
- Glenview Tennis Center (Park District)
- Orange Theory (Northbrook)
- Illuminate Northbrook (Event on Nov. 17th)
Please join Rotarians in collecting needed winter gear. All sizes and genders from adult to children will help. We can accept hats, gloves, scarves in new condition.
.png)
We are excited to expand our Shared Membership Program. In November, we welcomed shared members from the Deerfield Public Library and Deerfield School District 109 (pictured right). This month, we are adding the Deerfield Park District. Learn how our shared membership program works and contact us if you are interested in joining.