Koats for Kids Celebrates 20 Years of Warmth and Generosity
October 7, 2008 | Community News | Archive 2008
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Elwick students Forrest Demery and Rachel Villamangca are helping make winter a little warmer for children throughout Winnipeg via the Koats for Kids program
So when classmates decided to help United Way and its partners celebrate the 20th anniversary of Koats for Kids with the first coat drive of the season, the kids went straight to work.
Forrest was the first to contribute to the drive, bringing in three coats while Rachel went door-to-door to collect another ten coats and some ski pants.
Together with about 400 other Elwick students, teachers and parents, the two helped reveal an impressive harvest of winter outerwear on Tuesday, October 7, when United Way officially launched Koats for Kids in the school's gym.
To ensure complete success, middle years students enthusiastically solicited donations from friends, family and neighbours, hanging posters and delivering flyers to local schools and businesses.
"Our classes wanted to work together to ensure that all Winnipeg children and families had the opportunity to stay warm this winter," said Mrs. Collette, an Elwick teacher whose class participated in the drive. "Every time a student brought in a coat, they came in smiling from ear to ear because they felt good knowing that they were making a difference."
This year, thousands of children will find warmth and comfort in the generosity of Winnipeggers through United Way's Koats for Kids program, which collects and distributes new and gently used winter outerwear, free of charge, to Winnipeg children and their families. Since 1989, 120 000 articles of winter clothing have been distributed throughout the city.
"We are expecting close to 10 000 requests this year," said Barb Brown, United Way's Koats for Kids Manager. "This is a great opportunity for people to recycle their winter outerwear and do something good for the community at the same time."
Hosts and Koats for Kids spokespeople Sylvia Kuzyk, Laurie Mustard and Don Percy commended students on collecting more than 200 coats during their drive - all of which covered the gym's walls from floor to ceiling like a colourful patchwork quilt.
Koats for Kids is a partnership between United Way of Winnipeg, CTY, the Winnipeg Sun, 1290 CFRW, United Way agency partner Oyate Tipi Cumini Yape, Perth's, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service and AMJ Campbell Van Lines. These sponsors collectively provide in-kind support to promote the program and to collect, transport, clean and distribute donated clothing.
Individual donations of coats, scarves, mitts, toques, boots or ski pants can be dropped off at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station, Perth's location or AMJ Campbell Van Lines office on Niakwa Road across from the mint. For larger donations, including school and workplace coat drives, please call 586-Koat (5628) or email to arrange for a pickup or drop off. Together, united, we're creating opportunities for a warmer winter and better lives for all Winnipeggers.
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