Festive (Not) Ugly Sweaters coat drive to benefit needy children this winter
December 21, 2018
By Tara Vocino
Event co-organizer Matt Parlante wore a festive (Not) Ugly Candy Cane Sweater during the Coats for Kids event last Wednesday.
Event organizers Matthew Parlante, Michael DiGangi, Santa himself and Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe hold up a donated toy during last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event.
Don and Susan Martelli donated a green jacket, a tea set and a pop-up game during last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Joan Wells, Michael and Danielle Zaccaria and Police Chief James Guido are pictured near the coat pile at last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Dante Hibbard and City of Revere Human Resources Director John Viarella are pictured hoping to win raffle tickets at last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Dante and Jessica Hibbard display their Juicy Couture coat, Barbie doll and Avengers toys that they donated to last Wednesday’s coat drive event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Michael and Brian Davis hoped to win a raffle at last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
In festive clothing, event organizers Michael DiGangi, Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe and Matt Parlante display a coat and toy donated during last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Friends Carol Haney and Carol Tye display their coats that they donated at last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar. At right are event organizers Michael DiGangi and Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe.
Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe, Police Chief James Guido and event organizers Matt Parlante and Michael DiGangi display some of the boots, coats and toys donated during last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event.
Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe is “twinning” with donor Billy Allen at last Wednesday’s event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar.
Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe, Ward 6 Councillor Charles Patch and Police Chief James Guido attended last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event.
Isabella Malinowska goes back to her childhood in taking a photograph with Santa at last Wednesday’s Coats for Kids event. She donated a pink coat from Target for a four-year-old girl.
Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe had a festive suit jacket, sporting a Christmas bulb necklace, during the Coats for Kids event at Volare Cucina Italiana & Bar last Wednesday.
Event co-organizer Michael DiGangi sported a festive Nutcracker (Not) Ugly Christmas Sweater during the Coats for Kids event last Wednesday.
People got festive last Wednesday at Volare by wearing (Not) Ugly Christmas Sweaters at Coats for Kids, where guests donated toys and winter accessories to needy children.
“I was volunteering at Youth in Action four years ago, and saw that there was one child who didn’t have a winter coat, but that’s one too many,” said event co-organizer Mike DiGangi, who was wearing a Nutcracker sweater.
DiGangi asked the school department if there were more needy children – there were – and that’s how the third annual coat drive was initiated. He organized the drive with Ward 4 City Councillor Patrick Keefe and Matthew Parlante, who were also decked out in Christmas attire.
Donors commented on why they felt led to give this Christmas.
Karen Simonelli gave boys’ and girls’ Land’s End jackets and dolls/Matchbox cars. “There are kids out there who don’t have a warm coat,” Simonelli said. “I feel lucky that I can help.”
Billy Allen, who was dressed in a Christmas suit, donated a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and a tractor trailer car carrier toy. “I wanted to donate something that I’d wear – something in style,” Allen said. “As for the toy, it’s one that they can play with other kids.”
Don and Susan Martelli donated a green jacket, a tea set and a pop-up-game. “Since we’re able to provide for them, that’s the least we can do,” Don Martelli said.
Priscilla Nickerson donated a faux leopard fur coat. “Anyone who can help, why wouldn’t they?” she asked.
Joan Wells, who owns Tiny Treasures Childcare, asked how could she not give back to what she does. Wells donated OshKosh boys’ coats and Mickey Mouse toys. “If I can give back to children, why not?” Wells asked. “Christmas is for kids, and I’m happy to meet their basic needs.”
At the raffle table beside the coat donation, Dante Hibbard was vying to win a month’s worth of yoga. “I’d like to try it,” Hibbard said.
Beside him, Brian and Michael Davis were eyeing the $100 Seaport gift card. “We haven’t been there, and [would] like to try it,” Brian Davis said, who plans to bring his son, Michael. “We have to give – these kids don’t even have homes.”
Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com.
