Madison Rotary Donates Winter Coats to 100 Children at Newark Shelter

On Saturday, November 8, more than 100 children living at the Emergency Residency Shelter in Newark received early Christmas presents, courtesy of the Madison Rotary Club.

Through the combined efforts of the Rotary Clubs of Madison and Summit/New Providence, Bridges Outreach delivered new winter coats to children living in at the Shelter, just in time for the first cold days of winter. Children ages 1 to 16 were the recipients of the winter coat donations.

The shelter, operated by the YMCA of Newark, identified the children with the greatest need and provided Bridges Outreach with their names, gender, age and size. Bridges Executive Director Lois Bhatt then presented the information to both Rotary clubs, who enthusiastically agreed to fill the need.

“The Rotarians from both clubs volunteered to buy one or more coats, which were then festively wrapped and delivered to the children,” Carmela Moeller of the Madison Rotary explained. “The children were happy and grateful, as were their parents. The Rotarians shared in their joy.”

About the Rotary Club of Madison

The Rotary Club of Madison meets on Thursdays, 7:45 a.m. at the Madison YMCA and at 12:15 p.m. at Rod’s Steakhouse in Convent Station. For further information, click here.

Pictured in this photo: Reagan Burkholder of the Summit Rotary, Marianne McConnell of the Madison Rotary, Lois Bhatt of the Madison Rotary and Bridges Outreach, and Cherie Everts of the Summit Rotary.