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Donate your gently used coat to those in need

Cool Aid’s Eleventh annual coat drive needs your gently-used donations
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Bonnie Fredrick is one of the happy recipients from the Winter Coat Drive in 2018. (Photo courtesy Casual Labour Pool).

Give the gift of warmth during this stormy winter season.

The Victoria Cool Aid Society and Casual Labour Pool’s eleventh annual Winter Coat Drive wraps up Jan. 14 and there are less than two weeks left to donate your gently used winter clothes to the less fortunate during one of the coldest and stormiest times of the year.

“The need is growing, there are more people relying on donations and because our climate is so damp and wet it is difficult to be prepared for the weather,” said organizer Wendy Stone. “Victorians are generous and I expect people will continue to be. But with the impending rain and wind, no one wants to be outside and if you have to be it’s better to be bundled up and in warm gear.”

Stone said they would gratefully accept gently used winter coats, rain gear, bedding, sleeping bags and socks of all shapes and sizes. She said need touches all demographics and ages from children and families right through to seniors.

“We are seeing people homeless and living rough and people struggling to make a living and none of their income is disposable so [they] can’t afford anything on top of rent and food,” Stone continued.

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She asked anyone going through their wardrobe, a winter cleaning or those fortunate enough to have winter clothing replaced during Christmas, now to consider this the perfect time of year to pass it on. Even work clothes such as steel-toed boots, high-visibility vests and construction helmets are welcomed and can make a real difference between someone being able to work and not.

“This gives them an opportunity to access important winter clothing at no cost at a time of year where it is pretty in inhospitable to be outside,” she said. “[It’s] windy, raining and cold, our climate isn’t conducive to staying warm if you are outside facing the elements.”

All clothing is donated to recipients free of cost and all donations can be made to the Cool Aid’s Labour Pool on 465 Swift St. (near Wharf Street) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through Monday, Jan. 14. For more information visit CoolAid.org/labour.


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