The February One Warm Coat drive organized by Northside Publications/Marina Times was a great success, thanks to our participating merchants and caring residents. Over 130 new and gently used coats and jackets of all shapes and sizes were donated at these eight locations in the Northside:

• Books Inc., 2251 Chestnut Street
• Wells Fargo, 2055 Chestnut Street
• Real Food Co., 3060 Fillmore Street
• Jovino, 2184 Union Street
• Descend Salon, 2185A Union Street
• St. Mary’s/The Village Well, 2325 Union Street
• Phil’s Electric, 2701 Lombard Street
• Presidio YMCA, Main Post Gym

Thanks also to Architects II for donating the poster printing.

“We were thrilled to participate,” said Robert Atkinson, co-owner of Descend Salon on Union Street, (co-owner Scott Torok even e-mailed clients to tell them about the coat drive). “As a local merchant, it’s important to support our community. I wish all local businesses would get involved with this kind of effort,” he said.

Sherri Wood, president and national coordinator for One Warm Coat and a frequent visitor to many of the drop-off merchants said, “Communities coming together like this to help the less fortunate is what One Warm Coat is all about.”

The One Warm Coat concept started on Thanksgiving 1992 as a weekend collection drive in San Francisco. The nonprofit now acts as a facilitator, helping individuals, groups and companies organize coat drives. It’s up to the drive organizers to donate the collection to local groups, which then distribute the coats, free of charge, directly to disadvantaged children and adults.

Northside Publications has chosen these three charities as recipients:
• Whitney Young Child Development Center (children’s coats)
• Haight Ashbury Free Clinics (women’s coats)
• St. Vincent de Paul Society (men’s coats)

When you no longer need a coat, think of One Warm Coat (www.onewarmcoat.org) knowing that those in need will receive the gift of a warm coat.