North Shore Ballet Groups Launch Annual Winter Coat, Pajamas Drive

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Two prominent North Shore ballet organizations are once again teaming up to collect winter coats and pajamas for those in need.

The Marblehead School of Ballet and the North Shore Civic Ballet, a non-profit performing dance company, are holding their fifth annual drive from Oct. 1 through Dec. 14.

The coats will be given to Anton's Cleaners to clean and afterward, they will be donated to Coats for Kids and Families Partners Distribution Network. New pajamas are also being collected for children, 0 to six years of age, which will be given to Lynn Economic Opportunity.

"For 53 years, the Marblehead School of Ballet has been an active member of the community," MSB Director Paula Shiff said. "We thank everyone for supporting us all these years. During the fall and winter seasons, we ask the public to think of people less fortunate by donating a gently used or new winter coat for people of all ages or new pajamas for children."

"The North Shore Civic Ballet wants to lessen the difficulties some families may experience at this time of year," NSCB Board of Trustees member Rosemary Grant added. "Each year, we build upon the success of our previous drives and invite people to join us in the annual collection by donating new or gently used winter coats for people of all ages and new pajamas for children, ages 0 to six, this year."

Donations of new or gently used warm winter coats for children and adults, without broken zippers, rips, tears, or stains are welcome. The cleaned garments will be distributed through the Coats for Kids and Families Partners Distribution Network to a range of organizations, including Massachusetts Community Action Programs, Salvation Army, Women’s Lunch Place, DCF, and Catholic Charities.

Those looking to donate can bring winter coats or pajamas to the dance studio, located at 115 Pleasant Street in Marblehead. Supporters of the drive must contact the school at 781-631-6262 or e-mail msb@havetodance.com first to arrange a date and time to drop off donations.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)