Castro Valley Moms Club Kicks Off Annual Coat Drive

Got a gently used coat sitting in your closet that's not getting much use? Why not donate it to keep a local person warm this winter?

The Castro Valley Mother's Club's (CVMC) has partnered up with the the East Bay Community Law Center's (EBCLC) One Warm Coat Project, which kicked off Nov. 16. The coat drive continues through Friday, Dec. 9.

EBCLC serves local, low income families. It plans to give the coats directly to its clients at a mid-December party. 

In the past, the CVMC set up a coat collection box at in Castro Valley. However, this year the manager told the club it needed to get permission from the grocery store's corporate office.

Organizer Brenda Roberts said Jasmine Clemmons, owner of on Castro Valley Boulevard, recently stepped in to help. She offerered to have her store be the designated coat drop-off site for the community.

A collection bin will be up at her store starting Tuesday, Nov. 22 until Friday, Dec. 2. Her store hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Until the drop-off box is in place, people are welcome to contact Roberts via email at gopherkitty@sbcglobal.net to arrange a drop-off or pick-up appointment.

Last year, the group collected 130 coats. 

"I know with the community's help, we can achieve that number and more," Roberts said.

In addition to coats, CVMC is also collecting toys to benefit the children of EBCLC clients this holiday season.