JACKSON – The biting cold of winter is months away, but Jackson PBA Local 168 is joining forces with local businesses now to help people in need stay warm.
Until Sept. 30, new or gently used coats of all sizes for women, girls, men and boys will be collected during a coat drive that is being sponsored by the PBA.
Officer Michael Grochowski said, “Winter is coming and we just want to help out the community. Some older people walk around a lot and we want to make sure they are warm.”
The owners of Jackson Orthodontics and Farley’s Ice Cream Shop have joined in the effort by providing drop-off points for people who want to donate a coat.
Donations may be dropped off at Farley’s Ice Cream Shop, 740 Brewers Bridge Road, every day between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at Jackson Orthodontics, 186 West Veterans Highway, Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The Jackson Police Department has set up a 24-hour drop-off location for coats at police headquarters on Jackson Drive.
Grochowski said he hopes to reach out to other businesses to gain more support for the coat drive.
“Just through email alone, we are getting a lot of coats,” he said. “I haven’t even hit up any stores yet to see if they are able to donate anything new.”
Grochowski said the time he has spent as a police officer in town has opened his eyes to the growing need of many Jackson families.
“We hold a toy drive every year and it just seems like it is getting bigger and bigger every year,” he said. “It seems like we are getting more people who are in need and we want to help with their safety.”
On Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 6-8:30 p.m., coats will be handed out to anyone with proof of Jackson residency if they stop in at Jackson Orthodontics.
For more information about the Jackson PBA coat drive, contact Officer Michael Grochowski at 732-928-1111 or Jackson Orthodontics at 732-942-8400.