'Miss New Jersey Pre-Teen' To Hold Coat Drive In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — For families living in poverty, a warm coat is unfortunately all-too-often a luxury item. And this is why Maplewood teen Nyla Edwards wants your gently-used winter jackets.

The Essex County teen, a student at Our Lady of Sorrows school in South Orange, recently captured the pre-teen title of 2016 National American Miss New Jersey. During the state competition, Edwards was recognized for her activities which include volleyball, altar serving, Girl Scouts, track & field, acting and babysitting.

• See related article: Essex County Girl Will Represent N.J. In National American Miss Pageant

Now Edwards is hoping to use her newfound status as “Miss New Jersey Pre-Teen” to help out her community.

Edwards is working with national nonprofit One Warm Coat to collect clean, gently used warm coats, and dollars to support the coat drive program. Donors can drop off their extra coats on Saturday, Nov. 12, between 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. at Maplecrest Ford-Lincoln, 2800 Springfield Avenue in Vauxhall.

All donated coats will be given to a local agency for distribution to local children and adults in need, Edwards said.

According to the teen's mother, Anya Edwards, the Maplecrest Ford-Lincoln in Vauxhall will offer a free oil change to the first 50 customers who donate a coat to the drive on Nov. 12.

Interested donors without a coat to give can help provide a warmer winter by texting "WARM" to 80100 to donate $10 to One Warm Coat, or by visiting www.onewarmcoat.org/donate.

"My goal is to collect 200 coats and as many dollars as possible during my coat drive,” Edwards said. “I'm really trying to make a difference in my community before I leave for the National Pageant later in November."

"We are so thankful for our many coat drive ambassadors, like Nyla, who volunteer their time, resources and energy to help their neighbors in need,” said President and Chief Executive Officer of One Warm Coat Jennifer Stockard.

Photos: Anya Edwards

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