NCA Honored For ‘Coats For Kids’ Work

By BOB PALMER

It was a shining moment for the Neighborhood Cleaners Association and its members who participated in the “Coats for Kids” program.

The NCA contingent and all those who participated in the drive had been invited to New York City’s historic City Hall by Peter Vallone, speaker of the city council, for brunch and the presentation of citations celebrating the success of “Coats for Kids Drive 2000.”

“As key participants in this drive, we congratulate the Neighborhood Cleaners Association who collected, cleaned and worked with us in collecting and distributing thousands of donated coats to children citywide,” Vallone said. “This combined effort in community outreach has prevented countless children from suffering from the cold due to the lack of a warm winter coat. It has been personally gratifying for each of us to share in this important program serving many of our city’s young people.”

A crowd in excess of 200 heard Vallone praise the efforts of the drycleaners, while presenting plaques to Arthur Epstein, chairman of the “Coats for Kids” committee, NCA Executive Director Nora Nealis and NCA pointman Tony Terrell, who coordinated the drive and organized the City Hall reception.

“We were absolutely thrilled at the cooperation we received from our customers and others who participated in Coats for Kids,” Epstein said. “We thank Speaker Vallone for inviting us here, and I think everyone who participated has a good reason to feel proud of their efforts.”

Epstein, who owns Randi Cleaners in Mineola, N.Y., was particularly proud of the efforts of the Floral Park, Bellerose, Stewart Manor Association of Girls Scouts, who collected more than 900 coats.


“The scouts just did a tremendous job,” Estein said. “They just kept bringing in coats. It was really amazing.”

Scout leaders Linda Proscia and Christyne Gerasi said the project was one their girls truly enjoyed.

“Once they got going,” Gerbasi said. “They just didn’t want to stop. They knew they were doing something good, and they really enjoyed it.”

Bronx participants

Another group helping celebrate the day was lead by Sister Mary Beth Read of the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in the Bronx.

The group included students Maria Katsikoumbas, Beena Nathaikutty, Emilie Mittiga and Sheila Muirragui, who helped coordinate their drive with owners Jim and Cornelia Pappas of Allen Cleaners in the Bronx.

“The girls at Mount Saint Ursula’s did a great job,” Jim Pappas said. “And the response we got overall was amazing and gratifying.”

“We had people come from all over the Bronx and from as far away as Brooklyn,” Cornelia Pappas said. “They heard we were promoting the drive and they really responded.”

Nealis thanked Vallone for his award and presented the Speaker with a permanent “Coats for Kids” sign for City Hall.

“We are glad to be a big part of programs like ‘Coats for Kids,’ Nealis said. “Drycleaners often get a bad rap because of environmental and pollution issues that are often blown out of proportion. It’s great to be on the positive side. Our hard-working members deserve this.

Drycleaners are truly a part of their communities, and things like “Coats for Kids” show that.”

Vallone accepted the plaque and promised to have it displayed at City Hall. “Perhaps,” he joked. “we can ask those that come here to wear coats and leave them here.”

Terrell asked those on hand to remember Robert Shooman, a former NCA employee who was fatally injured in an automobile accident last year.

“Bob was a big supporter of “Coats for Kids,” Terrell said. “He would have been thrilled to be here today.”

He also gave special thanks to Epstein for his work on Long Island, the Pappases for their efforts in the Bronx, Ed Roth, who worked tirelessly in Queens, and Ken Kinzer, who spearheaded efforts in Brooklyn.

Terrell said he enjoyed working with the “Coats for Kids” program and, like many at the NCA, was overwhelmed by the response.

“We’ve been doing this for 15 years now,” he said. “But we’ve never had anything like this. It was just great. There are a lot of drycleaners who participated that weren’t able to be here today, and we would like to thank them also.”

Terrell said he hopes next year’s drive is even bigger. “Let’s keep it going so that every child who needs a warm coat and can’t affort one will not be left out. That’s our goal.”