The gift of warmth: Community groups begin donation drive for winter clothing

From coats in Corner Brook, to mittens across the Avalon, the giving season has begun.

The Christmas Miracles campaign, based in St. John’s, is underway in support of The Gathering Place to provide “blessing bags” to guests during the holiday season. 

Each bag contains hats, mitts, socks and toiletries. 

Collections run until Dec. 12, and the group is accepting donations of new adult hats, gloves and socks.

The effort is sponsored by local businesses and this year added fire departments across the northeast Avalon.

The collaboration is one that the program’s founder, Leslie Rideout, has welcomed. She said it’ll provide convenient places for folks to bring their donations. 

“You know, it’s hard this time of year to always ask people for a big monetary donation. Not everybody can do that. Not everybody has the means,” Rideout said.

“But a lot of people just want to help.”

Drop off points include the Central Fire Station in St. John’s, fire stations in Conception Bay South and Holyrood, and town halls in Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Torbay, Pouch Cove and Harbour Main.

‘Need continues to grow’

What started in her basement seven years ago has grown.

“It went from 100, the next year was 200, last year it was 400,” Rideout said. “And yes, Christmas is special, but it’s every day of the year there’s a need.”

This increase in demand is something Andrew Holm, manager of fund development and partnerships at The Gathering Place, is seeing, too. 

“Unfortunately the need continues to grow,” Holm said. 

“Last week alone we had over 700 unique individuals in our space.”

And the warm clothing makes a difference in winter, especially when the facility’s capacity is full.

“Throughout the winter people will be told that we don’t have room,” Holm said. 

“And so we’ll be able to give a hat and a warm item, gloves, sometimes hand warmers, all these things. And so we’ll be able to meet the need.” 

Coats for community 

On the west coast of the island, one store in Corner Brook is collecting coats.

Michelle Payne is the owner and operator of Fox’s General Store. She’s been running the collection effort for years, with a rack of winter coats for folks to donate, or take what they need. 

Just like in St. John’s, the demand is growing, Payne said.

“Last year, we know there was a bit more than 3,000. Every year grows. This year is no exception, it’s certainly growing,” Payne said. 

“We’ve had bags and bags dropped, and bags and bags picked up. So we’re going to be in the thousands for sure this year again.” 

Running for the entire month of November, the items Fox’s is looking for most are men’s jackets. 

“It seems like as soon as a man’s jacket comes here, it’s gone. Men are definitely the need in the community,” Payne said.

“If you have something to spare, or if you need something, come on in. We’re not going to question why you’re in the store. Just come on in and help yourself and, you know, make it be a warm hug.”

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