WITH GREAT NEED FOR KIDS COATS & ACCESSORIES, COLVIN CLEANERS TO HOLD 1st “COATS 4 KIDS" CO

THE BILLS’ OFFICIAL DRY CLEANER & TAILOR TO COLLECT COATS, ACCESSORIES ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 FROM 10 a.m.-1 p.m. AT NEW ERA FIELD

Starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver, the Buffalo Bills first round pick in this year’s National Football League draft, will host the Colvin Cleaners first “Coats 4 Kids Collection Drive on Saturday, October 26 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in Parking Lot 2 at New Era Field.

Colvin Cleaners, the official dry cleaner and tailor of the Buffalo Bills, is in its 24th year of conducting “Coats 4 Kids” and based on the steady stream of phone calls it has been receiving about the free coat distribution dates, its need for kids’ coats, gloves, hats, boots and scarves is in great demand by agencies it annually serves. “Coats 4 Kids” is sponsored by The Allstate Foundation and supported by WIVB-TV and Towne Square Media.

Last year, Colvin Cleaners distributed 18,500 coats during three public, free coat distributions along with donations to several local agencies. That brings the 23-year total of coats distributed by the 88 years young dry cleaners to more than 110,000. This week the annual WIVB-TV Live Drives collected more than 5,000 coats and accessories during its morning and afternoon sessions.

“We are extremely fortunate a player of Ed Oliver’s stature is interested in helping our neighbors in need by hosting our first Collection Drive for Coats next Saturday,” said Colvin Cleaners Vice President Christopher A. Billoni. “He epitomizes the character of players Bills GM Brendan Beane and Coach Sean McDermott are bringing to Buffalo. We are also excited Ed’s parents and family will be helping him on Saturday with the drive. Ed and his mom assisted with a similar drive in his hometown of Houston.”

“I am not used to cold winters and when everyone told me how cold it gets here, I could not imagine a child or members of their family walking around without a warm coat, gloves, hats, scarves and boots,” Oliver said. “We have to make sure every child has a warm coat this winter.”

Paul A. Billoni, President and CEO of Colvin Cleaners is encouraging everyone to check their closets for gently used winter coats and accessories or go to a store and purchase some for Saturday’s drive. When they arrive at the stadium, turn into One Bills Drive and Lot 2 is to the left. Those donating will not need have to leave their vehicles as volunteers will gladly receive their donation.

Colvin Cleaners has been accepting donations throughout the year at selected Allstate locations throughout Western New York along with other sites.

When coats and accessories are donated, members of the Colvin Cleaners staff clean them and make needed repairs before coats are sorted by size for the three free, public distributions--Saturday, November 9, Kenmore Knights of Columbus, 1530 Kenmore Ave., Kenmore, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 East Ferry St., Buffalo. The final distribution will be Saturday, December 7 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at a location to be determined.

About Colvin Cleaners: An 88 years young company, Colvin Cleaners was founded by Phil Billoni. His brothers, Tony and Santo worked in the business for over 50 years and Tony’s son, Paul, has worked there for 42 years. His son, Christopher, is Vice President and the third generation member of the family business. Colvin Cleaners is the only WNY drycleaners to use the environmentally friendly Green Earth cleaning solution. For more information, visit www.colvincleaners.com.