Artie Epstein of Randi's Cleaners in Mineola, the Long Island leader of the Coats for Kids campaign, once again kicked off the campaign at Mineola Village Hall last week. The program has been highly successful in providing winter coats to those who need them and Epstein has been in the center of it all, leading the way for what has become at county-wide effort.

The program has been in existence since 1986. Coats for Kids seeks donations of coats in good condition. They are then cleaned by participating cleaners such as Randi's and then distributed to people and agencies in need. The idea has caught on and now donations are accepted not only at cleaners but there are receptacles placed in schools and at governmental buildings such as Mineola Village Hall.

Since the program's inception, 500,000 coats have been distributed. "No one in need has ever been turned away. All over Long Island, the program has been catching on and has been equally received," said Epstein. "Residents have come together to support us with coats that no longer fit them and some have even bought brand new coats to donate. It has grown because people realized that this kind of activity that we're doing is needed in our communities."

One supporter of the Coats for Kids campaign is Judge Scott Fairgrieve, who has seen the volunteerism and dedication Epstein has put into the campaign. "Saint Artie is a man who is unbelievable. He does it tirelessly to the benefit of mankind and without profit to himself," he said.

It takes a whole network of people who want to give in order for the Coats for Kids campaign to work. The campaign has been supported by Republicans and Democrats, businesses, students, churches and various organizations, making it a true community effort. Last year, over 25,000 coats were distributed on Long Island to families that need a little help, Epstein said.

This year, Coats for Kids needs volunteers who can pick up coats at designated locations and bring them to participating cleaners and volunteers who can sort the coats into different sizes.

To donate coats to the Coats for Kids campaign look for collection receptacles around town. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the campaign, visit Artie Epstein at Randi's Cleaners, located at 300 Jericho Turnpike in Mineola.