FWDG’s 22nd Annual Coat Drive kicks off

Cooler weather means families need jackets and coats — but in Beaufort County, too many needy families go without. That’s where FWDG’s 22nd Annual Coat Drive helps thousands each year.  This year, FWDG is kicking off the annual Coat Drive with a special Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours event November 8. This event is free and open to the public by making reservations with the Chamber at 525-8523 before Nov. 7. Refreshments are being prepared by Summit Place of Beaufort’s Chef Kent.

While admission is free, participants will receive one coupon for each coat, jacket or sweater they donate to the Coat Drive that night. One winning coupon will be drawn for a $250 FWDG gift certificate, Mark said.

Over the past two decades, FWDG founders Larry and Robyn Mark have shared more than 39,000 gently-used coats with Beaufort County families. FWDG has once again chosen HELP of Beaufort, Bluffton Self Help and the Deep Well Project on Hilton Head to distribute the donations to families in need — ensuring your donations help local Beaufort County residents.

Jackets, coats and sweaters can be dropped off at local collection sites through Dec. 31.

“We live in a beautiful place, but sometimes we forget that even in all this beauty there are families in great need,” said Larry Mark, president of Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery, also known as FWDG. “We can help keep children and parents warm by donating jackets, coats and sweaters.”

“Recycling these coats is good for our environment, but more importantly, it’s good for our community. No one likes to be chilly or cold, and most families have at least one coat, jacket or sweater that hasn’t been worn for a few seasons or has been outgrown,” he said.

During the Business After Hours event, Mark will be showing off the new look and new furniture lines at FWDG, as well as the new store Furnish 1-2-3.

Donations can be dropped off now through Dec. 31 at the following local locations:

· FWDG, Perimeter Walk, 745 Robert Smalls Parkway, (Hwy 170), Beaufort
· Beaufort County BB&T branch offices: Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, and Lady’s Island,
· Carolina Stamper, 203A Carteret Street, downtown Beaufort

Business, civic clubs, churches and other organizations often hold Coat Drive blitzes from one day to several weeks within their organization. They can designate a central coat collection point at their business or organization.

The Coat Drive was started 22 years ago by the Marks, longtime Lowcountry residents and business owners. Located at 745 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort, one mile east of the Broad River Bridge, FWDG at Perimeter Walk is the only one-stop-shop for home furniture and fixtures in Beaufort. FWDG and its owners have received numerous awards recognizing the business and their involvement in the community. Awards include: Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year, Small Business Person of the Year, Beaufort Gazette’s Reader’s Choice Award for best Furniture Store for 13 straight years, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award for Business.

For additional information about the Coat Drive, please call Larry Mark at 843-524-8695.