A large gift-wrapped cardboard box is filled with winter coats at the entrance of Discover Border Country Realty.
In its 15th year, Coats for Kids is a program that collects new or slightly used winter coats for those in need during the winter months.
Sharon Marshall, one of the organizers and owner of Discover Border Country Realty, said, “Basically it was something that really appealed to me because there are no strings attached. Everybody should have a warm coat. If you need a coat, you go there and get it.”
Coats are collected year-round and are stored until the winter months.
“People know that we do this every year, so if somebody sells their house and moves, they ask if they can drop (off their) coats,” stated Marshall. “This year, if someone is in need of a coat they can tell us and we’ll do what we can to help them.
“We will pick up coats for people who are unable to come in person and drop them off.”
Coats for Kids works in part with the Christian Centre and the Hospital Auxiliary.
“The ladies at the Hospital Auxiliary are fantastic. They participate and help us by providing jackets,” said Marshall. “The Christian Centre … take the coats at the end of the campaign and hangs them up and opens their doors for the people to come in.
“It’s not something that we can do by ourselves… ”
Coats can be donated to Discover Border Country Realty.
Last year, Coats for Kids received a monetary donation from Beverley Marinello, who lives in Langley, B.C.
“She provided money last year and said she wanted us to buy coats on her behalf,” Marshall explained.
“We ended up getting brand new outfits; one for a boy, one for a girl.”
Marinello is donating to Coat for Kids this year too, mentioned Marshall.
This year, Coats for Kids is also looking for donations of mitts and boots.
“We’d like to ask the community if they’ve got boots, mitts, or hats,” pointed out Marshall. “The church has said that people really need those as well, so it’s not just coats. We want to thank our community for their ongoing generosity. Every year we receive even more winter clothing than the year before.”
Coats for Kids will run until Dec. 17. To drop off jackets or pick one up, call 250-442-2124.