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D etroit's homeless will be warmer this winter, thanks to a coat drive sponsored by the Suit Depot, the Man of Steel Project and the Detroit Police Training Academy. This is the second annual coat drive for the Suit Depot in Oak Park. The first was instigated after owner Marty Babayov visited Washington, D.C., in 2014 and noticed the many homeless people living in the nation's capital. He was particu- larly disturbed by how many nearby gov- ernment offices and lawmakers seemed unconcerned. Babayov was further shocked to learn of Detroit's large homeless population. According to the Homeless Management Information System, the streets of Metro Detroit are home to more than 34,000 individuals; the state of Michigan has the fifth-biggest homeless population in the country. Babayov felt the solution shouldn't solely be left in the hands of the govern- ment. "We all have to do our part to affect the change we want to see in the world," he said. That winter, the Suit Depot ran a coat drive with the Do Foundation. One of Babayov's employees later enrolled in the Detroit Police Training Academy and needed a volunteer opportunity to complete his training. He remembered the Suit Depot's coat drive and suggested joining forces. "It was the perfect solution," Babayov said. "We can collect coats, but distribu- tion was a challenge. This year, police recruits from the police academy will go out on the streets and distribute the coats, getting to know the communi- ties they'll be serv- ing." Officer Mark Wallace, who has served Detroit for 20 years, began his Man of Steel Project in 2015 in memory of his friend Officer Sidney Taylor, who died in December 2014. One month earlier, Wallace had visited his sick friend in the hospital while dressed in a full Superman cos- tume, ignoring the surprised looks from onlookers. During that visit, an image of the homeless appeared on TV, prompting Taylor to pledge help when he recov- ered. Wallace agreed to assist him, the two shook and hugged on it; and a few days later, before his scheduled trans- plant surgery, Taylor reminded Wallace of their pact, adding, "Keep our prom- ise, even if I don't make it …" That was the last time the two spoke. Determined to keep his word, last win- ter, Wallace, once again in his Superman costume, handed out 385 care packages to the homeless, together with his stu- dent officers and their families. This year's dual coat drive started with coat donations from the Suit Depot. To encourage donations, the store is offering 25 percent off any new coat purchase with the donation of an old one in good condition. Donations of scarves, hats, gloves and warm blan- kets are also being accepted, as well as coats for any gender and size. "We're hoping this initiative will bring in many coats," Babayov said. "Our goal is to collect 1,000 coats, but even just 100 would make a world of difference to the 100 people who would be warm this winter." * The coat drive runs through January. Drop boxes are at the Suit Depot, 26158 Greenfield, Oak Park, the Detroit Police Training Academy, and any business or school can request one by emailing esther@ thesuitdepot.com. For details, visit www.thesuitdepot.com/ coat-drive. Esther Babayov and Monika Herschfus of the Suit Depot Sidney Taylor and Mark Wallace 20 January 5 • 2017 Rochel Burstyn | Contributing Writer Warm Hearts Three forces join together to aid Detroit's homeless. metro » Wohl » h e r e 's t o Jacobs Heller Kaplow Lax Michael Maddin Richard Maddin Kaploe Roth Sallen Saperstein Maddin, Hauser, Roth & Heller, P.C. announced that several of its attorneys have been recognized in DBusiness Magazine's list of 2017 Top Lawyers. The recipients and respective categories in which they were honored include: Harvey R. Heller, legal malpractice law; John E. Jacobs, real estate law; Evan H. Kaploe, tax law; Robert D. Kaplow, trusts and estates, tax law; Charles M. Lax, employee ben- efits law; Michael W. Maddin, real estate law; Richard J. Maddin, real estate law; Richard F. Roth, real estate law, trusts and estates; Steven D. Sallen, real estate law; David M. Saperstein, legal malpractice law; Steven M. Wolock, legal malpractice law. Wolock Merrill Lynch has hired Donny Wohl as a private wealth advis- er from J.P. Morgan's Private Bank in Michigan. Wohl spent more than 10 years with JP Morgan's Private Bank, taking on increasing responsibilities within the firm. He was an executive director and ran the investment practice for the State of Michigan, directing 10 investment professionals. He began his financial services career in 2006. Alan Reinstein recently earned the 2016 Lifetime Contribution Award for the Midwest Region of the American Accounting Association. This award was given "for his con- tinuous leadership, guidance and support for the Midwest Region." The award is not given annually — only when individuals have made a significant impact on the organiza- tion. Reinstein is the first academic to earn this award since 2007. Scott Cohon, for- merly of Southfield, of Boca Raton, Fla., has been elected the 73rd Supreme Master (international president) of Alpha Epsilon Pi, an inter- national Jewish col- lege social fraternity. Cohon, a 1991 graduate of Wayne State University, worked for AEPi for eight years following graduation, serving the fraternity as a chapter consultant and director of risk management. Since then, Cohon has been an active volunteer and has served on the International Board of Directors for the last 16 years. Reinstein Cohon