CAMPBELL — Sometimes, a lifelong friend’s longtime passion and charitable efforts can leave a level of influence and staying power that one feels compelled to pick up where the friend left off.

Just ask city Councilman Joseph Mazzocca Jr.

“That’s how I got on board, when he told me that,” Mazzocca, D-3rd Ward, said, referring to his determination to continue an annual coat and winter clothing drive, the latest iteration of which was Saturday in Roosevelt Park.

Specifically, Mazzocca wished to pay homage to the late Tony Vavlas Jr., who, with his father, Tony Vavlas Sr., started the effort.

During the three-hour gathering, Mazzocca and his wife, Tresa Mazzocca, accepted bags of donated new or slightly used coats, gloves, mittens, hoodies, socks, jackets, scarves and other related winter items. About an hour after the event got underway, at least 15 bags of assorted sizes had been donated.

The merchandise will be given to the Youngstown Blue Coats, who will pick up the donations this week, then distribute them to those who are homeless.

The Blue Coats, who have adopted the motto, “In America, nobody should freeze to death,” is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to collecting and distributing warming items to those who are homeless and financially destitute, with a special emphasis on military veterans, according to its mission statement.

Joseph Mazzocca said he’s known the younger Vavlas about 45 years. Vavlas had worked for The Sub Zero Mission, a Cleveland-based organization that is nearly identical in philosophy, mission and goals to the local Blue Coats.

About 10 years ago, Vavlas asked the councilman to assist him with collecting winter gear locally, along with finding those who were homeless and in need of such protective clothing, Mazzocca recalled.

“It’s unfortunate to see them out there, and I thought they need the stuff in the cold weather. It’s a good deed to help (homeless people) out as much as possible,” Lou Rivera of Campbell said.

Rivera, who was in the same Campbell Memorial High School graduating class as Mazzocca, brought to Saturday’s clothing drive several coats and jackets neither he nor other family members needed.

Rivera also is part of Tainos MC Association, a motorcycle group with about 40 members who are committed to participating in community-minded projects such as Saturday morning’s clothing drive. About a month ago, Rivera and other group members took part in distributing food at Our Community Kitchen in Youngstown, he said.

Also happy to provide a bit of holiday cheer and warmth to those less fortunate were Karen Hawn of Liberty and her mother, Sandra Ladig of Campbell.

Between the two of them, 12 heavy coats were donated to the drive. Mother and daughter said they were simply happy to get rid of coats they no longer wear and pass them to others who will need the items.

Mazzocca said that Vavlas and his father started the local effort about nine years ago, and that the younger Vavlas used to keep blankets and nonperishable foods in his vehicle year-round in the event he would see someone who was homeless and in need of those items.

“We’re going to keep this going in his honor,” Mazzocca said, adding, “When I started working with (Vavlas), I said, ‘I’m blessed.'”

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