I recently had the pleasure of attending and speaking at the kick-off of a wonderful program in which the Town of Hempstead is participating. I would like to invite residents to join me in supporting the Coats for Kids coat drive.

The Neighborhood Cleaners Association, for the last 18 years, has run the Coats for Kids coat drive. The purpose of this drive is to collect coats for children who may not otherwise be able to stay warm for the winter.

Arthur Epstein, the owner of Randi's Cleaner's in Mineola, is the chairman of this campaign. Last year alone, Randi's cleaned 10,000 coats, which were given to children in need here on Long Island. The work of Arthur Epstein and the Neighborhood Cleaners Association is so highly regarded that Oct. 15 has been designated as New York State Coats for Kids Day.

The coat drive will continue until Dec. 15 and the Town of Hempstead has established six locations as collection sites. Those who wish to donate to this worthwhile program can drop their families' coats in the boxes at Town Hall, 1 Washington Street in Hempstead; Town of Hempstead satellite office, 200 North Franklin Street, Hempstead; Rock Hall Museum, 199 Broadway, Lawrence; Levittown Hall, Levittown Parkway, Hicksville; Echo Park, Nassau Boulevard, West Hempstead; or the town skate park at Baldwin Park.

I would like to commend all those who have assisted in this program. Children deserve every opportunity to grow and remain strong and healthy and a warm coat for the winter can make a big difference in a child's life. I ask that all residents in the Town of Hempstead who may have a coat that no longer fits or that they no longer wear to please bring it to one of these six locations. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of children right here on Long Island.