NY Jets player Sheldon Richardson is trying to make everyone forget his TERRIBLE summer ... by putting on a clothing drive in NYC with a former Congressional candidate.

Richardson is hooking up with Kevin Powell for his 15th Annual Holiday Party and Clothing Drive Tuesday night.

Sheldon needs some positive vibes -- this summer he was hammered with a 4 game suspension from the NFL for doping, then arrested for driving 143 MPH with a 12-year-old kid in the car ... and a gun.

Admission to the party is free as long as you donate a piece of clothing to the homeless. Good stuff.