Thursday, February 6, 2025
The Friedberg JCC hosted its first-ever “Coatchella” Coat Drive on Sunday, bringing together teens, volunteers, and music for a day of giving back. This event, spearheaded by the Special Events Manager at the JCC, Sabrina Viscardi, and the inaugural drive successfully collected 168 coats with the help of 32 volunteers, to benefit the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
The “Coatchella Coat Drive” idea stemmed from a project Viscardi undertook as part of a leadership program run by the JCCA, Jewish Child Care Association
“I needed to create a service-learning project that engaged multiple volunteers and had a meaningful impact,” Viscardi explained. “Teens often need community service hours for graduation, but many don’t want to engage in the senior or child volunteer activities. How do I get teens here to have fun and volunteer? I thought, well music. How do I get music and I thought, “Coachella Coat Drive.”
The result was dubbed “Coat-chella Coat Drive”—a nod to the famous music festival but with a charitable twist. The event featured a live performance by the local teen band, “El Schorcho” whose members are students from Oceanside High School. Playing a mix of 90s classics and contemporary hits, the band set a lively tone for the day.
“Teenagers playing Beatles songs that I grew up with—it’s just wonderful,” said Oceanside resident Elliot Hearst, a retired English professor and JCC volunteer. “It’s something good for the community, and it gets people involved.”
In addition to the music, volunteers sorted and packed donated coats, ensuring they would be ready for distribution to those in need. Participants ranged from middle school and High School students with some adult volunteers all united in the shared mission of helping others.
Viscardi’s outreach extended to multiple school districts, including public and Catholic schools, whose guidance counselors encouraged students to participate.
“The support from local schools has been incredible,” she said. “We’ve had students from Sacred Heart and other schools join in. We advertised it to all the The Friedberg JCC hosted its first-ever “Coatchella” Coat Drive on Sunday, bringing together teens, volunteers, and music for a day of giving back. This event, spearheaded by the Special Events Manager at the JCC, Sabrina Viscardi, and the inaugural drive successfully collected 168 coats with the help of 32 volunteers, to benefit the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
The “Coatchella Coat Drive” idea stemmed from a project Viscardi undertook as part of a leadership program run by the JCCA, Jewish Child Care Association
“I needed to create a service-learning project that engaged multiple volunteers and had a meaningful impact,” Viscardi explained. “Teens often need community service hours for graduation, but many don’t want to engage in the senior or child volunteer activities. How do I get teens here to have fun and volunteer? I thought, well music. How do I get music and I thought, “Coachella Coat Drive.”
The result was dubbed “Coat-chella Coat Drive”—a nod to the famous music festival but with a charitable twist. The event featured a live performance by the local teen band, “El Schorcho” whose members are students from Oceanside High School. Playing a mix of 90s classics and contemporary hits, the band set a lively tone for the day.
“Teenagers playing Beatles songs that I grew up with—it’s just wonderful,” said Oceanside resident Elliot Hearst, a retired English professor and JCC volunteer. “It’s something good for the community, and it gets people involved.”
In addition to the music, volunteers sorted and packed donated coats, ensuring they would be ready for distribution to those in need. Participants ranged from middle school and High School students with some adult volunteers all united in the shared mission of helping others.
Viscardi’s outreach extended to multiple school districts, including public and Catholic schools, whose guidance counselors encouraged students to participate.
“The support from local schools has been incredible,” she said. “We’ve had students from Sacred Heart and other schools join in. We advertised it to all the local middle and high schools, and they all do it for their service hours for graduation.”
The JCCA’s leadership program connects staff from JCCs across the country. Viscardi described it as a valuable network for sharing ideas and collaborating on volunteer initiatives.
“It’s a good way to get involved,” she said. “I’ve met people in the same position as me from JCCs in California, Florida, and beyond. It’s a good way to network and we all brainstorm and give each other ideas based on our different JCCs.”
Andrea Ahearne, the senior program director for Early Childhood programs at the JCC, presented volunteers with a symbolic gift: a Hamsa. The Hamsa, a symbol of protection and kindness, was accompanied by a heartfelt message.
“Kindness is our responsibility,” Ahearne said. “Together, our collective efforts have helped address the needs of those in our community and uplift each other in a truly meaningful way.”
The “Coatchella Coat Drive” marks a new tradition in the JCC’s efforts to engage teens in meaningful volunteerism. “This is our most fun teen-focused event in a long time,” Viscardi said. “We hope to build on this success and make it an annual tradition.” middle and high schools, and they all do it for their service hours for graduation.”
The JCCA’s leadership program connects staff from JCCs across the country. Viscardi described it as a valuable network for sharing ideas and collaborating on volunteer initiatives.
“It’s a good way to get involved,” she said. “I’ve met people in the same position as me from JCCs in California, Florida, and beyond. It’s a good way to network and we all brainstorm and give each other ideas based on our different JCCs.”
Andrea Ahearne, the senior program director for Early Childhood programs at the JCC, presented volunteers with a symbolic gift: a Hamsa. The Hamsa, a symbol of protection and kindness, was accompanied by a heartfelt message.
“Kindness is our responsibility,” Ahearne said. “Together, our collective efforts have helped address the needs of those in our community and uplift each other in a truly meaningful way.”
The “Coatchella Coat Drive” marks a new tradition in the JCC’s efforts to engage teens in meaningful volunteerism. “This is our most fun teen-focused event in a long time,” Viscardi said. “We hope to build on this success and make it an annual tradition.”
