With the chill of winter setting in, the Upper Makefield Business Association (UMBA) is once again uniting the community around a cause that captures the heart of the holiday season. The organization’s annual Winter Coat Drive, now in its fourth year, is underway collecting coats, hats, gloves, and scarves for children and adults in need throughout Upper Makefield and the surrounding county, extending its reach to families in Philadelphia.
At the heart of the effort is Washington Crossing resident and UMBA member Jodie Alicea, who is spearheading the drive for the third consecutive year. “The reason for starting this coat drive was to support anyone in need of being warm this time of year,” Alicea explained. “The UMBA’s mission is to help the community in any capacity we can, and this coat drive is just another way we come together to make a difference.”
For over 58 years, UMBA has been a cornerstone of the Upper Makefield area, known for its commitment to preserving the community’s quality of life and developing strong relationships among residents, businesses, and local government. While the association proudly supports various causes such as A Woman’s Place and Shop with a Cop, the coat drive has quickly become one of its most impactful initiatives.
Last year alone, UMBA members and residents collected more than 300 coats, along with countless scarves, hats, and gloves. The donations come from across the region, in bins placed at familiar local gathering spots that include the following locations:
“Our drop-off locations are local businesses we’ve partnered with, many of whom our members have personal connections with,” Alicea said. “That’s part of what makes it so special. These are our neighbors and friends coming together to help others.”
The drive begins close to home. Donations are first distributed to families and individuals in need within Upper Makefield and surrounding areas. Through UMBA’s Sunshine Fund, members identify local residents who may be struggling; families affected by job loss, illness, or sudden hardship.
Alicea noted. “If anyone in our group hears about a local family going through a tough time, we work together to figure out what they need. If it’s coats, we make sure they have them before winter really sets in.”
This grassroots approach ensures that help reaches those closest to home first. Once local needs are met, the remaining donations travel about 40 miles south to North Philadelphia, where Alicea teaches at Aspira Bilingual Cyber Charter School. There, she works as a transition coordinator, helping students with moderate to severe disabilities prepare for employment and independence.
Alicea saw an opportunity to blend her professional life with her passion for community service. She began using the donated coats as part of an educational project, creating a mock “clothing store” where her students practice organizational and interpersonal skills while giving back to others.
“It’s a great opportunity for my students to collect the coats, organize them by gender and size, and then host a giveaway,” she explained. “They learn real-world skills and get to see the impact of their work. It’s incredibly empowering.”
The school’s coat giveaway event is now a highlight of the winter season. Families from the surrounding community, many of whom face homelessness or financial instability, are invited to select coats and accessories for free, no questions asked.
“We have a large population of families experiencing homelessness,” Alicea said. “Our school is always offering items that families need. Even after the main giveaway, we keep the coats available year-round in our community store so anyone who needs one can take it without judgment.”
Alicea has worked in Philadelphia schools for 15 years and says the need is constant, but so is the gratitude. “Every year, I see how something as simple as a coat can make someone’s day,” she said. “Last year, one of my students found a coat he loved. He looked in the mirror, smiled so big, and said, ‘This is mine?’ That moment alone makes all of this worth it.”
Each year, participation in the drive has grown. More donation bins have been added, and word-of-mouth has helped spread awareness throughout the community. Alicea says that by now, many residents plan ahead, saving gently used coats to donate once the collection starts each fall.
“Now that we’ve been doing this for several years, people look for our bins,” she said. “Some even go out and buy new coats or accessories just to contribute. That generosity is what makes this community so special.”
The collection runs through December 15, giving residents plenty of time to drop off donations before the holidays. All sizes are welcome, from infants to adults.
Alicea says what sets UMBA’s coat drive apart is its transparency and personal touch. “When you donate here, you know exactly where your coat is going,” she explained. “It’s going to support real people; students with disabilities, families in crisis, or someone who just needs a little extra warmth. That’s a powerful thing.”
For Alicea, the coat drive is also a family affair. She and her husband are raising three boys, and she sees the effort as an opportunity to model kindness and empathy.
“My parents always taught me to give back,” she said. “I’m trying to teach my kids that while it’s nice to receive during the holidays, it feels even better to give. Watching my students and my own children understand that lesson; it’s really heartwarming.”
As the bins around Upper Makefield fill with coats, scarves, and gloves, Alicea says she’s continually reminded of how generosity can ripple outward, from one community to another.
