By MADDY VITALE
Each year the Ocean City Board of Realtors holds a clothing drive to help those in need over the winter.
Realtors, local organizations, business owners and residents join to generously give gently used and new items from warm coats, hats, scarves and gloves to blankets, sweaters and other cold weather items.
And this year, the Warmth for Winter clothing drive received more items than in any other of the clothing drives held by the board since 2011, said realtor Gloria Votta, chairwoman of the Community Services committee for the Board of Realtors.
“This year was the most successful drive we have ever had,” Votta said Saturday.
The clothing drive is done in cooperation with the Clothes Closet of the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, an association of local churches that gives families in need some assistance.
The donations were collected through Nov. 24. The items are being distributed to the local community through the Ocean City Ecumenical Clothes Closet.
In addition, clothing and other donations are being given to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, Votta said.
Besides clothing, people donated blankets and toiletries, among other necessities.
“The outpouring of generosity from the community was wonderful,” Votta said. “It is a true blessing to live in such a caring city.”
In February, the Board of Realtors and the Ecumenical Council will partner to organize the annual food drive.
Votta said that the clothing drive could not be possible without the help of some realtors who work year after year to make it a success.
They are Ocean City Councilman Pete Madden, a realtor/broker/owner, and Kevin Best, both of Goldcoast Sotheby’s, and Nick Marotta, of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach Realtors.
Votta said a special thank you should go out to these organizations and businesses:
First National Bank of Sea Isle made a large donation of clothes and coats with a collection at the bank and a $500 donation from a special donor.
St. James AME Church provided new children’s coats, gloves and hats and also provided handmade scarves
Samantha Kurtz-Seif, Ocean City’s director of Social Services, collected at her work event.
Community donations:
Ocean City Board of Realtors
Realtors who volunteer their time each year to the drive, Kevin Best, Pete Madden and Nick Marotta.
Cathy Sauerzopf and Vicki Heebner.
Rissa Trofa, who gives of her time and organizes the items at the Ecumenical Clothes Closet.
