Just about six years ago Arthur Epstein, of Randi's Cleaners in Mineola, joined with his fellow cleaners and members of the National Cleaners Association and decided to expand the Coats for Kids campaign. As he was then and is now, Epstein has been appointed by his peers, as the chairman of the event.

In years past, the kick-off has been held in front of Randi's Cleaners on Jericho Turnpike, Mineola. However, because the Coats for Kids campaign has grown into such an enormous event, this year the kick-off was held at the spacious Mineola Village Hall meeting room and theater, thanks to the generosity of Village of Mineola Mayor Jack Martins and the trustees.

United States Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, as she has done since the inception of the drive, was present and praised Arthur Epstein for the work he has done to make the program so successful.

Prior to introducing the many dignitaries at the event and giving out awards, Artie Epstein announced that New York State Governor George Pataki in conjunction with State Senator Frank Padavan and State Assemblyman Steve Cymbrowitz have declared Oct. 15 as Coats for Kids Day in New York State.

This kind of recognition for the program, along with the generosity of so many local residents will work toward the goal of no child or adult being cold this winter due to the lack of a warm coat.

Area schools have become involved in the program and have set up donation boxes in the schools throughout Long Island and because of the diligence of so many children, Epstein awarded citations of appreciation to those schools and the students in them that collected the most coats.

The Cleaners Association themselves have donated more than one and one-half million dollars of free cleaning services so that all donated coats are not only cleaned but repaired before they are distributed to those in need.

Last year on Long Island alone, 35,000 coats were collected, cleaned and distributed with Artie Epstein at the helm. In New York State 30,000 coats were collected making a total of 65,000 coats sorted and given out by the NCA.

Epstein launched into introducing the many guests and then presented awards to the schools and individuals recognized for collecting the most coats.