With some help from the community, Danielle Aronovitz, a speech language pathologist for the Lawrence School District, collected more than 400 coats for children and families in need. Aronovitz said that when she started at Lawrence School District five years ago, she noticed that many of the students didn’t have winter coats, and that some students didn’t have any coats at all. Since then, she’s organized a coat drive, with help from the district, community, and local businesses.
“Around the holidays, especially the cold ones, it’s important for communities to join together and give back to one another, especially this year, when so many families are suffering financially because of Covid,” Aronovitz said, “It’s important; your neighbor may not have what you have.”
This year, Ilana Lawrence, Elisheva Baum, and Malkie Hirsch, all from from Milky Forst Properties, took this project upon themselves to help the community. Through their social media platforms and posting flyers on the internet, they sorted through new and lightly used coats that people had dropped off at their homes. “This year has been very hard on many families in this neighborhood,” the women said. “COVID has put a big financial strain on many people and we thought this would put a little relief on them and not have to worry how they will get through this cold winter. One less thing to worry about. We were so glad to help.”
Although the coat drive isn’t a sanctioned school district event, the middle school’s staff help sort the coats and distributes them discreetly to families who are in need. Any leftover coats are donated to the Five Towns Community Center in Lawrence.
Middle school Principal Willis Perry said that he’s thankful for the efforts that the community, Aronovitz, and the rest of the staff gave to help the students. “The event shows a great effort from our staff in regards to the students,” he said. “It shows that they’re thinking about our students and the challenges they may face, especially during the colder months. It provides them with warmth and lets them know that our school and staff are there for them if they need it.”
Perry added that the coat drive is also a great opportunity for students to learn about the importance of giving. “We hope to help the young people understand there’s something greater than just themselves and hopefully that carries on later in life,” he said.
Lawrence Superintendent Ann Pedersen expressed a similar sentiment. “The coat drive is an outstanding example of the entire Lawrence community working together,” she said. “The opportunity for community service from public and nonpublic school students has helped the learners to develop a sense of empathy and grow their kindness.”
The drive ended on December 17 but all involved expressed an eagerness to continue the program next year. Aronovitz said she sees the event as an opportunity to bind the community together. “Everyone’s been so happy to help,” she said. “I’ve lived here my whole life, and you never know what your neighbors may need. It’s an opportunity to give back to the community anonymously. People don’t ask where [the coats] are going, they’re just happy that some kids and their families are happy.”
