Ocean State Job Lot Partners with Customers to Donate 63,000 Winter Coats to Veterans in Need in Nine States
“Buy, Give, Get” program exceeds goal of 55,000 coats distributed
North Kingstown, RI – (January 30, 2024) – Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is pleased to announce that its 2023 “Buy, Give, Get” program has resulted in the collection of 63,000 winter coats, surpassing the company’s goal of 55,000 coats to be donated to veterans in need this winter.
From October 2023 through early January 2024, through the “Buy, Give, Get” program, customers at each of the closeout discount retailer’s 153 stores across the Northeast were encouraged to buy a quality, brand-name men’s or women’s winter coat for $40.00 (retail value at $120.00 or more), give it back to the store as a donation to a veteran in need, and then get a $40.00 Crazy Deal Gift Card for free, to be used for a future purchase online or at any Ocean State Job Lot store.
The coats have been distributed to veterans’ organizations throughout the winter season in partnership with a multi-state network of more than 50 veteran support agencies, organizations, assistance programs and action groups serving New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Since the start of “Buy, Give, Get” in 2016, OSJL has provided over 300,000 coats to veterans in need and 200,000 backpacks to children in underserved communities.
“We are so thankful to our generous and loyal customers who participated in the 2023 program,” said David Sarlitto, Executive Director, Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation. “What started out as a small program has grown into one of the largest of its kind serving veterans in need across the Northeast. We are especially proud to have exceeded our goal of coats and look forward to building on that success next year.”
In October 2023, a loyal Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, customer, Mike Marchetti, purchased 50 Buy-Give-Get coats from Ocean State Job Lot’s Wilkes-Barre store and donated them directly to the Kingston Rotary Club.
On October 23, 2023, Officers from the Westerly, Rhode Island Police Department stopped by the Westerly Ocean State Job Lot store and purchased 34 Buy-Give-Get coats for the community. The officers used the gift cards they received for the donation for their annual toy drive to help local families in Westerly.
On November 8, 2023, OSJL distributed 700 coats in Lewiston, Maine, to assist veterans and their families in partnership with Disabled American Veterans and the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 153 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, approximately 5,600 employees, and annual sales exceeding $800 million. OSJL Shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool, and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a three-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, a two-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. *Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need.
Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in the Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Website: OceanStateJobLot.com.
