The Vineyard Church Warms Hearts With Coat Drive

For the past two weekends, The , which has campuses in Lynbrook and Rockville Centre, held a very successful coat drive known as Project Warm Coat.

"The response was overwhelming," said the Rev. Steve Munson. "People were saying, 'I've got coats,' or 'My daughter's got coats,' or 'I'll tell my neighbors and friends.'"

Over the past two weekends the church collected 300 coats, and there are 100 more on the way from a local Boy Scout troop. The first weekend's coats have already been distributed through the church's food pantry, which is located at its Rockville Centre campus. The food pantry has been in existence for nearly 20 years, and currently helps to feed about 150 families per week.  

"In working with the people in the food pantry we saw a need for winter coats," Munson said. "Some of these people are working full time but they just aren't able to make it. They're known as the working poor. They need warm coats this winter as well as their kids."
 
The church advertised the coat drive on Patch.com and Lynbrook TV, as well as distributing fliers throughout the community.

During the coat drive, someone just happened to drop off a man's suit. One man, who had been looking for a job for quite some time, later came into the church because he needed a suit for a job interview.

"He was distraught because he couldn't afford a suit," Munson said. "We told him to try this one on. It looked like it was tailor made for him."

And that wasn't the only time where the church was able to help someone in need.    

"A lady came into the church crying because she couldn't afford a winter coat," Munson said. "I told her the coats were coming. The person who was bringing the coats came. She saw a beautiful imitation leopard-skin coat. She grabbed it and went crying out the door. It's wonderful matching people with coats."

Munson said the church has received beautiful coats, some leather and some that look brand new.

"People weep when they see the beautiful coats that were donated that were just sitting in people's closets," he said.

Munson said he is hoping the church will be able to hold the coat drive again next year.

"We'd like to thank the wonderful people in the community who have been able to share with people that don't have as much," Munson said.

The church is still accepting donations of coats at its Lynbrook campus, which is located at 180 Denton Dr.