Cathy Sandercock and Anna Wieler are both passionate about giving back to the community.
Their values have led them to join United Way of the Pembina Valley, an organization that strives to “improve lives and build community by … mobilizing collective action.”
One of the projects that returns year after year through United Way is Koats for Kids, which has grown to connect all ages in the community with warm winter wear ahead of the chillier months.
‘Anything that’s going to help keep people warm this winter’
Sandercock said that the organization is collecting ski pants, coats, mittens, toques, and scarves in all sizes for the initiative.
“Everything that’s just going to help keep people warm this winter,” she said.
The pair said that there are various options for drop-off, including large red bins at both the Winkler and Morden fire departments, Central Station in Winkler, and 500 Stephen Street in Morden.
Sandercock said that she empties the bins twice a week, and thanks to the gracious support of 500 Stephen Street and Morden Fire & Rescue, she also has places to store the donated items.
Out in two hours
Although collection has been going well, Sandercock and Wieler said that United Way is always looking for more donations, especially in Winkler.
Last year, after a month of gathering winter wear, the items were gone a mere two hours after distribution began in Morden.
The pair said that Central Station stepped in to allow Morden residents to take what they needed from its stores.
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“We had a number of newcomers in the community,” said Sandercock. “That was their first winter, and we will probably be experiencing a higher need this year.”
Sandercock and Wieler encourage the community to continue donating until the November 6 deadline — the items will be put to good use over the winter months.
Wieler added that anything left over after everyone is matched with what they need is saved.
“[If we have] coats left over at the end of distribution night, I hang on to those, and if schools need something, they give me a call, and we help them out,” she said.
‘It’s so worth it’
Both Wieler and Sandercock agree that on distribution day, when the community gathers to prepare itself for the cold, the efforts of the Koats for Kids season pay off.
It’s also an educational experience for those who consider the Pembina Valley’s early November temperatures frigid.
“That’s when it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s so worth it,’” says Wieler. “You see a lot of newcomers to the community, to Canada, and they think it’s really, really cold that day, and we say, ‘Make sure you take this jacket, it’s really, really warm.’”
Wieler added that in the past few years, Koats for Kids has prioritized creating a welcoming shopping experience, which includes borrowed coat racks from the Millennium Exhibition Centre (courtesy of the City of Winkler) to display the free-of-charge items.
“The coats are nicely hung up. It’s kind of like you’re more in a store,” she said.
“We help people go through, and they’re so grateful for a warm jacket and mitts and ski pants, especially for their kids, because you want those kids to experience a great winter, to have fun.”
A community effort
Sandercock says that the Koats for Kids operation would not be possible without the help of volunteers, who are involved in almost every step, including creating a welcoming and helpful presence on distribution days.
She said that there is a great number of “gracious people who are so thankful” for the efforts.
“I just want to … let everybody know these gifts are very well received. They’re appreciated, and for a lot of people, it’s making them feel very welcome.”
Distribution nights, when families can pick up the clothing, will take place on Tuesday, November 4, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 500 Stephen Street in Morden, and on Thursday, November 6, also from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Central Station in Winkler.
Everyone is welcome to stop by for free winter wear.
With files from Jayme Giesbrecht and Ty Hildebrand
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