Coats for Kids giving to children in need

Children in need of winter coats will be eligible to receive one free of charge from the Coats for Kids Foundation.

Coats for Kids is an annual campaign that works to secure gently used coats for children who cannot afford to buy one new. The coats will be distributed at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare on Prince Rd from Nov. 14 to Nov. 16. The campaign will be open from at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days.

June Muir, the CEO of the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. said the city is a big help to the program.

“This program will always be around because the community donates the coats, dry cleaners wash the coats,” said Muir. “We have distribution sites that distribute the coats during campaign time that are all dedicated.”

From Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 the Unemployment Help Centre as well as various dry cleaning businesses in Windsor collected coats from the community to keep the city’s children warm this winter.

Marc Kobrosli, the owner of Blondie’s Cleaners, which took part in receiving coat donations said the program is beneficial for people in need.

“I hope they keep doing what they are doing, and that every kid that needs a coat gets a coat and is warm for the winter. It is important the colder it gets here,” said Kobrosli. “We have had some pretty crazy winters and we like to see kids be warm.”

To ensure each coat is safe to wear and is in good condition to keep the child warm during the winter they are all inspected individually.

“We won’t accept any coats that are contaminated with bed bugs or lice or anything like that,” said Kobrosli. “Ninty-nine per cent of coats that come in are in very good condition.”

According to the Unemployment Help Centre’s website they will also be collecting cash donations to purchase additional coats to fill sizes with less availability.

“This is such a rewarding program and I am so passionate about ensuring kids have a warm winter coat to wear each season,” said Muir.

The Unemployment Help Centre’s goal is to collect 6,000 coats each year. Last year they reached 7,000 and Muir hopes to achieve the same success for 2015.