BEST DELIVERS 10,000 COATS FOR CONNECTICUT’S NEEDY through the 11th Annual Coats for CT Drive

Middletown, CT – Best Cleaners wrapped up its 11th annual Coats For Connecticut campaign in December, having collected, cleaned and delivered over 10,000 donated coats to Salvation Army centers and shelters throughout the state. The family-owned dry cleaning and tailoring business with 13 locations tackled the challenge with a high-sense of urgency and focus by concentrating their efforts over fewer weeks than previous years. Since the official November 7 kickoff date, the general public, local businesses and community groups were encouraged to gather up gently-used coats and jackets for all ages and sizes and bring them to any Best Cleaners location for free cleaning and delivery. The total value of the coat donations and cleaning services is estimated to be $283,600.

The success of the campaign can be attributed to the overwhelming support of the community at large and from Best’s campaign partners. Donated coats brought to Best were cleaned and delivered weekly to Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London and Waterbury for distribution by the Salvation Army to individuals and families struggling to make ends meet. In addition to collecting over 1300 coats at a one-day station event, Eyewitness News WFSB-TV3 promoted the campaign through public service announcements and coverage during various local news programming. Young’s Printing/Fast Signs donated printing services for campaign posters, signage, and other materials while Two Men and A Truck donated the use of two storage containers and collected 200 coats from drop sites at client locations.

Since the campaign’s inception in 2008, more than 117,000 coats have been collected, cleaned and delivered. The real appeal of the program is that people can donate freely without having to incur the expense or time to have items cleaned and delivered. Ultimately, more coats get to more people, more quickly. Best Cleaners locations are in Berlin, Bristol, Canton, Farmington, Glastonbury, Middletown, North Haven, Old Lyme, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and Windsor.

For more information on the Coats for Connecticut clothing drive and Best Cleaners visit: www.bestcleaners.com