MLK Jr. Day of Service 2025: Camden community gathers for coat, toy drive
Camden community gathers for coat, toy drive in honor of MLK Jr.
The City of Camden and the It Takes a Village Housing nonprofit organization held an MLK Day of Service winter coat drive.
CAMDEN, N.J. - The City of Camden and the It Takes a Village Housing non-profit organization held an MLK Day of Service winter coat and toy drive.
This is the third annual event held at Malandra Hall Community Center in Camden.
Big picture view:
The community center was filled with people trying to get some new winter necessities.
Everything was free, from the coats, hats, and even the toys.
The non-profit partnered with the City of Camden to bring various tables with different resources and including it as a part of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
The backstory:
It was all made possible through Camden Councilwoman Jannette Ramos’ organization It Takes a Village Housing, a group that houses and provides resources for mothers battling substance abuse and their children, but this drive is here to help everyone.
Ramos says this is the third year of holding the event and they plan to continue doing this each year.
What they're saying:
"I’m just going to get a long coat because I don’t have any grandkids, my other kids are adults," says Venus Vaughn, who attended the drive.
"It’s amazing. I grew up in Camden and I actually took dance classes right here at Malandra Hall, to see this type of community support - this community activity is phenomenal," says Melissa Morales, who also attended the drive.
"There’s something here for everyone, we even have men’s coats as well and suits. It’s not just about servicing our women and children but servicing a community where we will make that difference," says Ramos.
What you can do:
It Takes a Village Housing is always looking for donations of items especially for mothers and kids.
"Each and every one of us should ask ourselves what is it that you’re doing to make a difference in your community. if you know in your heart that you’re doing something good then you should feel good, because that’s what we are placed here to do, be of service to others. It goes perfect hand-in-hand with the Martin Luther King Jr. because it’s a day about being of service," says Ramos.