A warm winter clothing drive is underway in Sudbury, but it's off to a cold start.
Donations are down this year, and that's why organizers are appealing to people to open their closets and donate any gently-used winter clothing.
Justin Heckman is a father of four and says the warm clothing drive has helped clothe his family over the past few winters.
“I have used this program for a few different reasons, whether it's my kids out-growing their stuff way sooner than expected to or just financial times. When things get a little tough, if you can save a few dollars on a jacket or two, it helps in a household of four.” said Heckman.
It's a clothing drive powered by Cooper Equipment and Rentals to help people of all ages stay warm this winter in the northern elements.
Lynne Ethier is the fundraising and special projects manager of Our Children, Our Future, an organization that benefits from the clothing drive.
“I just learned from one of our families that we work with that they see it as a luxury, winter clothing that is an expense. It's a big expense and of course right after school starts and then there is Christmas coming around the corner.” said Ethier.
“Ithink it all comes down to a word, responsibility. What's our response and what's our ability to do that? The response is to dig into to your hearts and dig into your closets, and the ability is to drop it off at one of our public sites.” said Derek Cashmore, sales manager for the northern region of Cooper Equipment and Rentals.
There are several drop-off sites in the city including: Cooper Equipment and Rentals, public libraries and the YMCA.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger dropped off some gently used winter coats to the cause.
“It's such a great effort here to bring winter clothing for seniors, children, to families that are less fortunate. So, the best thing you can do is go through your closet.” said Bigger.
Organizers say they hope no one goes cold this winter.
Last year the drive helped 4,500 families, totalling about 10,000 people from infants to seniors.
