With cooler weather comes the start of FWDG’s 21st Annual Coat Drive — and a goal of collecting 4,500 jackets, coats and sweaters to distribute to the needy in Beaufort County.
Over the past two decades, FWDG founders Larry and Robyn Mark have shared more than 37,000 gently-used coats with Beaufort County families in need.   FWDG has once again chosen HELP of Beaufort, Bluffton Self Help and the Deep Well Project on Hilton Head to distribute the donations to families in need.
Jackets, coats and sweaters can be dropped off at local collection sites through Dec. 31.
“In these tough economic times, there are more and more local families who need help, and that includes help keeping warm through the winter,” said Larry Mark, president of Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery, also known as FWDG.
“Recycling jackets, coats and sweaters is good for our environment, but more importantly, it’s good for our community. The economy has put thousands of families in a position where a used coat or jacket can make a big difference in being comfortable this winter,” he said.
Donations can be dropped off now through Dec. 31 at the following local locations:
• FWDG, Perimeter Walk, 745 Robert Smalls Parkway, (S.C. 170), Beaufort
• Beaufort County BB&amp;T branch offices:
o   Beaufort, 95 Port Republic Street
o   Bluffton, 2 Burnt Church Road
o   Hilton Head Main Branch, 1008 William Hilton Pkway Unit A
o   Lady’s Island, 1 Kemmerlin Lane
• Carolina Stamper, 203A Carteret Street, downtown Beaufort
• Battery Creek High and Hilton Head Island High.
Business, civic clubs, churches and other organizations often hold Coat Drive blitzes from one day to several weeks within their organization. They can designate a central coat collection point at their business or organization.
The Coat Drive was started 21 years ago by the Marks, longtime Lowcountry residents and business owners. Located at 745 Robert Smalls Parkway in Beaufort, one mile east of the Broad River Bridge, FWDG at Perimeter Walk is the only one-stop-shop for home furniture and fixtures in Beaufort.