Libertyville Rotary, cleaners sponsor ‘Coats for Vets’

Libertyville Rotary Sunrise is again hosting its annual “Coats for Vets” collection drive.The goal is to collect winter coats, jackets and other seasonal apparel for thousands of veterans in the northern Illinois area.Donations can be dropped off at Zengeler Cleaners#146; Libertyville stores: 539 E. Park Ave. and 1401 Peterson Road, or given to any member of Libertyville Rotary Sunrise.#147;Everyone talks about the impact of the economy during the past several years. We know many veterans have been impacted by the slowdown and we want to do whatever we can to help them during these challenging times,#148; said Tom Zengeler, president of Zengeler Cleaners. A fundamental need for many veterans is clothing, especially winter coats, and that prompted Libertyville Rotary Sunrise to start this collection drive a few years ago.#147;In addition to coats and jackets, veterans also need blankets, gloves, hats and other seasonal apparel ... everyday items we may take for granted, but items that our vets need quite badly,#148; Zengeler said.With the support of civic-minded organizations like Rotary Sunrise and contributions from generous individuals, this year#146;s drive promises to be the most successful yet, he added. Once the items are collected, Zengeler Cleaners will inspect, repair as needed and clean every donated item. They will deliver the items to the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago on or before Veterans Day Friday, Nov. 11.Donations will be accepted through Monday, Oct. 31.For details, contact Tom Zengeler at (847) 272-6550, ext. 14, or visit www.zengelercleaners.com.Last year, the organizations gathered more than 3,000 coats, jackets, gloves, scarves and other winter apparel valued at more than $75,000 during the drive, and would like to surpass that total in 2011, Zengeler said.