The United Way's “Coats for Kids” campaign and the Canadian Red Cross's “Winter warmth” program were launched Friday in an effort to round up warm clothing for families in need this winter.
“Last year we distributed more than 5,000 coats,” said Glenn Thibeault, executive director with the United Way.
“We encourage people to give children's coats, but what ends up happening is we get a lot of adult coats, which are just as needed as the coats for kids. We're hoping to get a minimum of 5,000 coats again this year.”
For more than 20 years the campaign has served people in the Greater Sudbury area.
“We're having a great fall, we've had some beautiful weather. So no one thinks about January, but January is going to come along and there will be families who say 'I don't have coats, hats, mitts, toques, and I can't afford to buy this stuff, so what do I do?' What we're trying to do right now is get people thinking about it. Winter is coming, it's inevitable,” Thibeault said.
Residents are asked to donate gently worn coats during the month of October to all locations of Sudbury Steam, Uptown Cleaners, Bright Spot, Starlight and Chelmsford Cleaners, where the garments will be cleaned, touched-up and brought to the distribution centre in the Rainbow Centre downtown. The distribution site opens Oct. 23 and will remain open until Nov. 13.
“This campaign started in the mid-80s and for a while Sudbury was the only United Way campaign in Canada that was running coats for kids. And now the program is running right across the country,” Thibeault proudly added.
While coats are being collected and distributed to families in need, the Canadian Red Cross will be distributing hand-knitted items such as mittens, hats and scarves to vulnerable families and children. The campaign is run in partnership with the United Way program.
“We presently have over 2,800 knitted items,” said Sue Wyers, program coordinator.
“The Red Cross is always looking for volunteers. People can support this program by knitting hats, mittens, scarves or by donating wool.”
She noted that the Sudbury branch of the Canadian Red Cross could not provide the Winter Warmth program without the dedication of its volunteers. Currently 75 volunteers knit items throughout the year, and many other volunteers help in the distribution of the winter accessories.
For more information call Wyers at 674-0737 or email [email protected].
