Coats for Kids is heading into its ninth year of collecting donated winter outerwear, like coats, boots, hats, and scarfs, but for the first time, the Newmarket Lions clubs’ initiative may not have a home.
After finding a free space to use for the first six or seven years of its existence, Coats for Kids relocated, and now they’re hoping they’re able to relocate again.
“Our current stay has come to an end, so we’re looking for space,” said Leah Springford, co-ordinator of Coats for Kids. “Our biggest problem this year is that we don’t have a home and we don’t have a place to open up.”
The Coats for Kids drive needs free space because they don’t have the funding to rent a location. Springford said ideally they can find a place to use from mid-October to the end of December, or they’re willing to pivot if they can even get a space for a weekend every month from October to December.
“We just need a space to give away coats,” she said. “Having a permanent home for the last nine years was a real privilege, but I realize it’s difficult for people to give us free space for a whole year. If we can find free space at all, it would be really helpful.”
Currently, Coats for Kids is packing up the space they’re in right now and they need to be out by the end of August. The change makes things much more difficult, said Springford.
“We have to put everything in storage,” she said. “It means if we’re able to find space, even to do a weekend here and there, we’ll have to bring everything out of storage and then put it back. It’s difficult but we’re willing to do whatever we can because we have lots of coats and we really want to be able to give them away to families.”
Coats for Kids collects donations from across York Region, sorts through the winter wear to make sure it’s in good condition and then gives the items to families in need.
“It’s important for us to be here and see what’s needed,” Springford said. “Last year we had so many new Canadians and refugees who had arrived here with absolutely nothing. This is an expense that they know they don’t have to worry about and they’re so grateful because they can concentrate on rent and food.”
With the cost of living going up, helping to fill a gap for families who may not have the funds for winter clothing has been the priority and Springford credits community support for the program’s success.
“The donations have been really incredible,” she said. “We put out the call for donations and it’s been beyond belief the kind of donations we get. It says a lot about the community and we get donations from people across York Region. To me, it shows Newmarket is an incredibly caring community that gives so generously.”
Right now, Coats for Kids is running another initiative, Sneakers and Sweatshirts, which they started last year to try and collect back to school items.
“It was really successful,” said Springford. “We just want to make sure families have what they need when school comes back.”
Donations for the Sneakers and Sweatshirts drive can be dropped off at Budget/Avi at the Best Western Hotel at Young and Davis or at Zona’s Children’s Shoes in the Quaker Hill Plaza. Donations can be dropped off Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The donations will be given to families in need on Saturday, Aug. 19 in the parking lot at the Church of Christ (230 Davis Dr.).
