Greater Sudbury Northern Life Reporter Janet Gibson
Much of their work is done after other people have gone to bed. Walking the streets of Sudbury, the Red Coats of Notre Dame House visit the homeless.
"Every month they average between 1,800 and 2,000 contacts on the street," said executive director Lise Sénécal.
Yesterday, they received a gift of 40 quilts from Northern Initiative for Social Action, a group whose members are "consumers of mental health services who come together to do something meaningful and be a part of society," said co-ordinator Lisa Morris. "One of the programs is Warm Hearts, Warm Bodies."
NISA members made 30 of the quilts in a Friday afternoon quilting class taught by Louise Ferlotte.
Now, on the eve of winter, the Red Coats will give out the quilts to those in need.
"Quilts are a big part of what we do on the street," said outreach co-ordinator Paul Laurin. "We hand them out to keep people warm."
When the temperature dips below - 15 C, the Red Coats are out from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Each year, Morris said, NISA gives the quilts to a different organization. Next year, it hopes to double or triple the donation.
