Only Two Weeks Left for the First "Donate & Ride" Coat Donation Drive

Printer-friendly versionPDF version

Two of the Bi-State Region’s Largest Organizations
Aim to Collect 4,000 Coats by Nov. 30, 2010

(ST. LOUIS/November 23, 2010) – Metro and MERS/Goodwill, two of the Bi-State region’s largest organizations, set out to collect 4,000 coats in the month of November for their first “Donate & Ride” Coat Donation Drive. The Drive is in its third week, with nearly 1,200 coats collected at four of the MetroLink Park-Ride locations (Brentwood I-64, Fairview Heights, North Hanley and Shrewsbury).

“The community’s participation in the ‘Donate & Ride’ Coat Donation Drive thus far is very good,” said Dr. Lewis Chartock, President and CEO of MERS/Goodwill. “More coats are still needed in order to reach our goal, and this has been a great first effort. The sale of donated items, like the coats from this drive, support our vocational rehabilitation programs in the community.”

“Metro has provided not only transportation to and from work for many of MERS/Goodwill contract employees, but also for the last 12 years has provided job opportunities in our Missouri and Illinois facilities,” said John Nations, President and CEO of Metro.

To participate in the Metro and MERS/Goodwill “Donate & Ride” Coat Donation Drive, visit the Brentwood I-64, Fairview Heights, North Hanley or Shrewsbury MetroLink Park-Ride locations. MERS/Goodwill donation bins will be conveniently located near MetroLink platforms so that gently used coats and other apparel can easily be donated on the way to work, home, events, etc.

About Metro
Metro is the operator of the Metro public transportation system for the St. Louis region, which includes the 87 vehicle, 46-mile MetroLink light rail system; 346 MetroBus vehicle fleet that operates on 69 MetroBus routes; and Metro Call-A-Ride, a paratransit fleet of 120 vans. Metro also oversees the operations of the St. Louis Downtown Airport and surrounding industrial business park, the Gateway Arch Revenue Collections Center, the Gateway Arch Transportation System, the Gateway Arch Riverboats, and the Gateway Arch Parking Facility.

About MERS/Goodwill
MERS/Goodwill is a non-profit agency that provides for the vocational needs of individuals who have barriers to employment through disability or economic disadvantage. Annually serving more than 13,000 people, the organization operates 38 service centers in 53 counties in the bi-state area. Revenues from 40 Goodwill stores and the auto donation program assist with funding MERS/Goodwill job training and employment services. MERS/Goodwill is a proud member of the United Way. For more information about MERS/Goodwill or to find a Goodwill donation center near you, call 314-241-3464 or visit www.mersgoodwill.org.
###