by Sheldon Atovsky — Most of us have the means to handle Chicago winters, but some do not. There are folks close by without warm clothes, and we encourage you to do what you can to help them out.

Park Tower will hold its Annual Winter Clothing Drive starting Thanksgiving weekend and lasting through December.

Please contribute new or, at most, gently used clothing. Pieces should be clean and in generally excellent condition. (If torn or stained or damaged, then please dispose of them otherwise.)

Clothing for all ages, and in all sizes, fashions,  and colors, is welcome. From XXL to petite, from AX to Polo, from Goth to Ferragamo, from Naughty Gear to Armani, from H&M to Eileen Fisher, from skinny jeans to baggy pants, from Burberry and Gucci to Wal-Mart and Target – all will be put to good use.

Everyone appreciates looking smart and expressing themselves — maybe even having a little fun — by having a choice in the clothes they wear. And please keep in mind that warm hats, gloves, sweaters and coats are especially needed for children.

Collection boxes will be positioned in the lobby near the  door to the main elevators. For larger donations, please put them into a large plastic bag and deliver directly to our management office.

Distribution will be handled by Care for Real, which serves the Edgewater community.

If you’re inspired to donate food, that will be most welcome, too. Just walk it over to Care for Real, located a few storefronts away, next door to Tedino’s Pizzeria.