Allan Appel Photo
Patrick Perkins outside the Headz Up barbershop on Whalley, a free winter-coat distribution headquarters on Thanksgiving Day.
As winter’s first blast nears, teen activist Ronald Huggins teamed up with top downtown cop Lt. Rebecca Sweeney and local businesses like the Headz Up barbershop on Whalley Avenue to make sure people who need a coat this winter will have one: warm, free, and clear.
Patrick Perkins helped preside over the distribution of more than 700 coats Thanksgiving afternoon at Headz Up, the barbershop his brother owns on Whalley Avenue just across from Stop & Shop.
The coats have been collected over the past months by businesses, the police, members of the state judicial department, and teenagers throughout New Haven’s neighborhoods, according to Huggins.
Shop owner Greg “Chanz” Simpkins said that by his count 800 had been dropped off at his shop from early Thursday morning. By mid-afternoon, there were only 100 left, including many full body snowsuits for little ones as well as some stylish lined sweat-shirts with sequins.
Simpkins said that his barbershop, just three years old, has supported community sports and other activities, but “this is my first time doing a coat drive.”
He said he plans to make it an annual event.