During One Warm Coat’s 30th anniversary celebration in 2022, the inaugural Distinguished Volunteer Award was given to our National Founder Sherri Wood.
This year the One Warm Coat team is thrilled to present the award to Janet Kaplan. Janet has been organizing a coat drive with her synagogue, Temple Beth Ahm of Aberdeen, since 2013, collecting more than 11,000 coats!
Janet, her synagogue, and community kick off their annual coat drive at the end of October each year during their celebration of Mitzvah Day and run the coat drive through January. Janet says she believes it’s important to start the coat drive early enough in the fall season so that the coats get to those who need them before it gets too cold.
For several years, Janet has delivered the coats she collects to One Warm Coat nonprofit partner The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission. The Rescue Mission is often able to share some of the coats with other nonprofit organizations in the community, as well. Janet also crochets warm hats for kids and adults throughout the year and donates them along with the other outerwear items they collect.
When asked why she is committed to holding an annual coat drive, Janet responded:
“It feel so good knowing we are helping keep people warm and possibly changing lives for the better at the same time.”
Thank you and congratulations to Janet and all those who help her share warmth!