Assemblyman David G. McDonough (R,C-Merrick) announced today that his participation in the 2003 "Coats for Kids" campaign was an overwhelming success, with over 900 coats being donated and distributed to needy individuals. "I am astounded by the generosity of people and with this recent brutal cold spell, am thankful that many needy people will be kept warm with these donations," said Assemblyman McDonough.

The "Coats for Kids" campaign is sponsored by the Neighborhood Cleaners Association, who participate in the collection, cleaning and distribution of thousands of donated children’s and adults’ coats. The campaign was kicked off this past September by Chairperson Arthur Epstein of Randi’s Cleaners and continued until the end of the year.

Assemblyman McDonough participated by accepting coats from many individuals who stopped by his district office and by coordinating collections with the following organizations: The Norman J. Levy Lakeside Elementary School Student Council, the fifth-grade class of Shaarei Shalom of Bellmore, the Bellmore United Methodist Church, Temple Beth Elohim of Old Bethpage, and the students of the Roslyn High School Key Club. "It is a true testament to the generosity of the season how these individuals came together to make this coat drive a success," said Assemblyman McDonough.

"In addition to the aforementioned individuals and organizations, I would especially like to thank Arthur Epstein for the coordination of this event, and Tony Asselta, of Busy Bee Cleaners in Merrick, and Glen Gering, of Jim Dandy Cleaners in Wantagh, for their participation," stated Assemblyman McDonough, adding, "These individuals took in hundreds of coats and cleaned them so that they may be distributed."

"I am looking forward to again participating in this event in 2004 and am hoping that it will be an ever bigger success," concluded Assemblyman McDonough.