Community – Best Cleaners

Keep Connecticut Warm: Donate Coats November 7-23

Susan Daniels — Tue, 22 Oct 2019 18:36:41 +0000

Unpredictable weather shifts and increased economic insecurity seem to be factors in an earlier than usual demand for cold weather outerwear by area shelters and community centers. In response, Best Cleaners is kicking off its 11th annual Coats For Connecticut community collection with an increased sense of urgency and a more streamlined, efficient collection process. We are still aiming to collect, clean and deliver tens of thousands of donated coats, as in past years, but to do so by concentrating the effort over one month instead of two. In fact, the first delivery of donated and cleaned coats has already been made to local Salvation Army centers, well before the official November 7 campaign kickoff date. The general public is urged to drop off gently-used coats and jackets by November 23 at any Best Cleaners location in Berlin, Bristol, Canton, Farmington, Glastonbury, Middletown, North Haven, Old Lyme, Plainville, Rocky Hill, Simsbury, and Windsor. Outerwear for all ages and in all sizes is needed, especially children’s coats.

Confidence in meeting the demand is high given the overwhelming generosity of the community at large and Best’s campaign partners. In addition to the Salvation Army, Coats For Connecticut sponsors include Eyewitness News WFSB-TV3, Young’s Printing/Fast Signs, and Two Men And A Truck. Their support of the campaign continues to increase awareness of the growing need in the community and the relative ease of donating to the program. Donations from schools, churches, and businesses conducting their own coat drives are also encouraged and have been a big factor in helping keep Connecticut warm for the past 10 years. All donated coats are cleaned for free and delivered weekly shelters and centers in Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London and Waterbury for distribution to individuals and families struggling to get through the cold winter months. Since the campaign’s inception in 2008, more than 107,000 coats have been collected, cleaned and delivered.

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Best Brings Community Commitment to Old Lyme

Susan Daniels — Fri, 06 Sep 2019 16:52:50 +0000

The Connecticut shoreline will now be cleaner and greener with the recent opening of Best Cleaners in the Old Lyme Marketplace at 90 Halls Road. On September 6, managers and staff members gathered with neighboring businesses and customers to officially “cut the ribbon” and celebrate the grand opening. Shawn McCann, Best Cleaners’ owner and president, also presented a donation check to representatives of the Connecticut Audubon Society’s Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, a local group dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the Connecticut River Estuary ecosystem and watershed. In June Best acquired the location from Shalett’s Cleaners, renovating the exterior and interior space over the summer months and establishing its cornerstone same-day service, GreenEarth cleaning process and onsite tailoring on the shoreline. It is the 13th location and a great opportunity to expand Best’s commitment to its customers, the community and the environment.

Supporting the Estuary Center and the important work being done was an easy decision given the company’s initiative to become a green cleaner. Best was one of the first in Connecticut to make the decision and financial investment to convert to an environementally-friendly drycleaning process, earning recognition and a Green Circle award from the Connecticut Department of Environmental for voluntarily implementing a facility-wide pollution prevention plan in 2002. Shawn commented on the Old Lyme opening, adding “We are excited to be in the Old Lyme community and look forward to helping keep it clean and green for years to come. We are happy to lend our support to the Estuary Center – their mission is important and impacts all of us. I encourage everyone to learn more about their efforts.”

Pictured Above: Norm Ravagnani and Shawn McCann of Best Cleaners present a donation check to Claudia Weicker, Nell Twining, Elsie Childs, John Forbis and Nancy Meinke of the CT Audubon Society’s Roger Tory Estuary Center in Old Lyme.

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Kicking Off 10th Year Of Keeping Connecticut Warm

Susan Daniels — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 21:22:26 +0000

In 2008, the first year of Best Cleaners’ Coats For Connecticut campaign, 2,000 donated coats were collected, cleaned and delivered to local shelters and Salvation Army centers. Considered a success, it was decided to make it an annual appeal and expand the reach by partnering with other businesses and organizations. Since then, and thanks to Best customers and a partnership with the Salvation Army, WFSB-News 3, and Young’s Printing-Fast Signs, an avalanche of warmth went out to those struggling to get through the cold winter months. A total of 92,000 coats have been distributed to date. Last year alone, over 18,000 coats were collected, cleaned and delivered to Salvation Army centers in Bridgeport, Bristol, Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Britian, New Haven, New London and Waterbury.

This year, the goal is to meet or exceed 18,000 coats. Thanks to our new campaign partner, Two Men and A Truck, who donated the use of two storage containers for staging cleaned coats prior to delivery, things are in place for another banner year. We encourage our customers, our friends, and the general public to clean out your closets and donate gently-used winter coats and jackets. We also ask local businesses and organizations to consider running a coat collection of their own. All sizes for all ages are needed, but the demand for children’s coats is always high. Simply bring your coat donations to any of the 12 Best Cleaners’ location before December 22nd and help keep Connecticut warm.

Pictured Above: WFSB-NEWS 3 Reporter Eva Zymaris helped kick off the 10th Annual Coats For Connecticut campaign with Best Cleaners owner Shawn McCann and the Best Main Glastonbury team.

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18,298 WAYS TO SHOW WE CARE

Susan Daniels — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 15:18:53 +0000

As frigid temperatures besieged the state, Best Cleaners wrapped up the ninth annual COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign this month, making the last delivery of donated coats to Salvation Army centers around the state. Thanks to all of you, we had another record breaking total of 18,298 coats processed during the eight-week community collection. The extreme cold and expanded participation by local schools, youth groups, businesses, and Best’s campaign partners, Eyewitness News WFSB-TV 3, Young’s Printing/FastSigns and Gorilla Graphics, contributed to the continued increase in donations.

WFSB collected over 600 coats in one day at their station headquarters, while many local organizations also held their own collection events. The total value of the donated coats and drycleaning services combined is an estimated $519,000, all distributed directly to those in need through Salvation Army centers and shelters in Hartford, Middletown, Meriden, Bristol, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, New London, and Waterbury. Our warmest thanks for your overwhelming generosity and support. Pictured above (from l-r) are Best Cleaners team members Gary Reynolds, Shawn McCann, Laura Mullaly, Kevin Mullaly, Scott Franco, and Norm Ravagnani after making a delivery at the Salvation Army Center in Hartford.

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BEST CLEANERS AIDS PUERTO RICO EVACUEES

Susan Daniels — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 16:42:08 +0000

Even though the 9th annual Coats For Connecticut campaign doesn’t officially kick off until Thursday, November 9, Best Cleaners has already delivered donated and cleaned winter coats to the Salvation Army to help an influx of evacuees from Puerto Rico. Thousands have arrived in Connecticut, seeking a safe haven from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. Salvation Army representatives in Connecticut are experiencing a higher than usual demand for winter coats, jackets, and apparel, especially in children’s sizes, and anticipate that the need will continue to grow as the temperature drops. You can help us make a big difference in someone’s life today. Now is the time to clean out your closets and put those outgrown and no longer worn coats and jackets to good use by donating them to Coats For Connecticut. It’s easy. Simply drop off your gently-used coats at any of Best’s 12 locations. Each week though early January, Best will clean and deliver all donated coats to Salvation Army centers and shelters throughout the state for distribution to individuals and families in need. This year’s goal is to hit 20,000 coats. Thanks to the generosity of Best customers, local groups and organizations, and with the support from our campaign partners and sponsors the Salvation Army, WFSB-TV 3, Young’s Printing, and Gorilla Graphics, together we can keep everyone in Connecticut warm this winter.

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Employee Spotlight: Charles “Gary” Reynolds

Jennifer McCann — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 13:25:40 +0000

We caught up with Gary to ask a few questions about his time at Best Cleaners. Here’s what he had to say:

Do you have a Nickname? Bluefish

What is your position? Maintenence Director

How long have you been at Best? 47 Years. In that time I have served as CSR and a Manager at Berlin, Bristol, Canton, Glastonbury, Plainville, Rocky Hill and Newfield Street.

What did you do before joining the Best team? I worked at fast food restaurants, a steak house and Sears Auto Center.

Do you have a favorte customer or co-worker story? There are so many Best people and customers that have meant alot to me that I can’t single one out. When I am in Bristol it seems I have some great customers still coming in after all these years.

What are your special talents, hobbies or interests? I love BBQ and classic cars. I also love working around the house, especially on my yard and pool and relaxing on my deck after work.

Anything else you would like to share about yourself? I started my ouwn BBQ business called Uncle Gary’s BBQ. We do ribs, brisket and pig roasts for special occasions. We also do fried Turkey’s for Thanksgiving!

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BEST CLEANERS THANKED FOR COATS CAMPAIGN WORK

Susan Daniels — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 21:47:15 +0000

The Salvation Army officially recognized Best Cleaner’s 2016 COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign efforts with an award presentation at WFSB-TV 3’s studio in Rocky Hill. Major Jorge Marzan thanked Gary Reynolds of Best Cleaners and Klarn DePalma of WFSB, Best’s COATS FOR CONNECTICUT media partner, for the close to 20,000 coats that were collected, cleaned and delivered to Salvation Army centers throughout the state last November through January. A bigger THANK YOU goes out to everyone in the community who took the time to donate their gently-used, sometimes brand new, winter coats.

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Employee Spotlight: Muhammad Barakzai

Jennifer McCann — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 13:56:38 +0000

We would like to introduce you to Muhammad “Sabir” Barakzi, the tailor at out Rocky Hill location. Sabir, as he’s known to all, was born in Afghanistan. He became interested in sewing at the age of 14 after watching the tailors in the local shop close to his home. Sabir was eager to learn the business. He spoke with the owner of the shop who was willing to train him in the fine art of tailoring and sewing. Once Sabir’s training was complete, he was hired on full time and he worked at the shop for a total of 10 years. Sabir loved his job but he was ready for a change. He decided to relocate to Pakistan from Afghanistan and was able to find work for another tailoring shop.

Pakistan was Sabir’s home for the next four years. When the opportunity to relocate to the United States came to him, he embraced it. We are lucky he ended up in Connecticut, and more specifically at Best Cleaners. Sabir is very talented and our customers love him. If you’re in Rocky Hill, please make sure to stop in and say hello!

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18,168 Coats Delivered to Connecticut’s Needy

Susan Daniels — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 17:12:25 +0000

Best Cleaners wrapped up the eighth annual COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign this month, making the last delivery of donated coats to Salvation Army centers around the state, and far exceeding the 16,000 goal set back in November with a total of 18,168 coats processed through our 13 locations. Each week donated coats were cleaned and delivered to Salvation Army centers and shelters in Hartford, Middletown, Meriden, Bristol, New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, New London, and Waterbury. The huge uptick in the total number of donated coats came from expanded participation by local schools, youth groups, businesses, and Best’s campaign partners Eyewitness News WFSB-TV 3 and Young’s Printing/FastSigns. WFSB collected over 900 coats at their station headquarters, while many other local organizations held their own collection events. The total value of the donated coats and drycleaning services combined is an estimated $515,000.

Each year the sheer magnitude of giving in our community is amazing and greatly appreciated. This year was exceptional and much credit needs to be given to campaign volunteers who helped deliver coats each week, and campaign partners who helped get the word out throughout the eight week effort. Of course none of it would happen without the hard work of the Salvation Army centers in getting each donation into the hands of those who need it all through the winter months. Captain Sienna Jackson of The Salvation Army shared her thoughts, “We want to thank the Connecticut community for their continued generosity. Donations reached families in our shelters and feeding programs as well as individuals assisted through our food pantries and holiday season programs. This year, even more men, women and children will stay warm this winter.”

Pictured above are representatives from Mercy High School in Middletown who dropped off 260 coats collected by students and staff, helping make this year’s COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign the best yet. THANK YOU ALL!

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HELPING TO MAKE A BETTER CONNECTICUT

Susan Daniels — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 17:37:12 +0000

Best Cleaner’s COATS FOR CONNECTICUT campaign is off to a fantastic start with over 4600 coats collected, cleaned and delivered in the first weeks of our two month effort. A recent feature on BETTER CT tells the story of the impact that donors, our partners, and volunteers like the Mullaly family are having on struggling families throughout the state: http://www.wfsb.com/clip/12936637/coats-for-connecticut

RESCHEDULED: Stuff-A-Van Event, Tuesday, December 6 from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. at WFSB-3 TV, 333 Capital Boulevard, Rocky Hill. Due to heavy rains on 11/29, the event was postponed one week. The entire crew at WFSB-TV 3 will be collecting coat donations outside the station throughout the day. Swing by with your gently-used coats and jackets on your way to work or school and help us fill a Best van (or two) with winter warmth for those in need. Children’s coats are especially needed!

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