A Warming Trend

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Winnipeg Sun, Tuesday October 16, 2007
Reproduced with permission.
Photo: Marcel Cretain/Sun media

 It's official! United Way and its partners have just launched Koats for Kids, now in its 19th year!

Hard to believe, but since 1989 Koats for Kids has distributed an amazing 100,000 articles of winter outerwear! Wow.

I asked program co- ordinator Angela Nolin for an example of how the Koats helps people in our community.

"There are countless examples, but from last year alone, I remember one single mom with four small children all under 12, thrilled at having Koats to come to. She told me outfitting her kids retail would have cost her over $300, adding she was filled with both 'relief and gratitude' at being able to dress her kids properly for winter, free, through this program. It just helps so many people."

In addition to providing thousands of Winnipeg children and families with free and clean winter outerwear, Koats also provides unique pre-employment training for certain members of the community. The program allows these participants to volunteer one day and be paid for the next.

 "In a welcoming, safe environment, these individuals learn basic job skills and build self-esteem, things that most of us take for granted," says Scott Sanders, chair of United Way's board of trustees.

"These skills may lead to further education or employment, opening a world of opportunities, all because somebody pulled a coat out of a closet."

Speaking of which, individual donations can be dropped off at any Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Station or Perth's location.

For larger donations, including school coat drives, please call 586-KOAT (5628)
or e-mail koatsforkids[at]shaw.ca to arrange for pick-up or drop-off.

In a "have" city such as ours, there is absolutely no reason for any Winnipeg children to go cold this winter.

This year's program launch (for which I was delighted to be the emcee) happened in the basement of Oyate Tipi Cumini Yape on Selkirk Avenue, the mission headquarters soon to be crammed to the rafters with donations from you and me.

Head for your closets, folks. A gentle reminder that scarves, mitts, boots and ski pants are just as urgently needed as coats. Dig deep in support of Koats for Kids, one of the best recycling programs on the planet!