North Bay charitable groups collect winter coats for vulnerable people

Several charitable organizations in North Bay are teaming up for a community-wide coat drive to make sure the vulnerable will stay warm this winter.

Thursday afternoon, the staff at Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing (LIPI) were busy sorting through the latest bundle of winter clothes donations.

Several charitable organizations in North Bay are teaming up for a community-wide coat drive to make sure the vulnerable will stay warm this winter. (Eric Taschner/CTV News)

"We're probably getting close to, you know, 300-400 coats," said Amanda Smith, LIPI’s program director.

 LIPI is teaming up with the AIDS Committee of North Bay & Area, St. Andrew’s United Church Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank and Rebuilt Resources to collect as many gently used coats as possible.

"It makes us feel good," Smith said.

"It's, you know, giving back to the community is a huge part of what we do … We take a lot of pride in that."

The charities are asking people to sort through their closets for any gently used coats, toques, winter boots, mittens, scarves and other winter apparel.

The yearly coat drive began more 25 years ago and was known as Operation Winter Warmth. It was organized by Vanda Brazeau’s mother, Maureen. At one time, organizers collected as many as 2,000 winter coats in a single year.

"We put out a call to our community year after year and they step up," said Brazeau, the operations manager of Rebuilt Resources.

"No one should have to do this by themselves."

'Life is expensive'

The organizations have one simple request: the coats should be in good condition -- no rips or holes in them and all the buttons and zippers work.

"Life is expensive and it's only getting more expensive," Smith said.

"If we can help out even a little bit and just get people winter gear to be warm, kids especially, that's our goal."

Coat donations can be made at the LIPI office at 127 Main St. East from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Friday. They can also be dropped off at Rebuilt Resources at 1356 Regina St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Saturday.

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The coat distribution will take place at St. Andrews United Church at 399 Cassells St. on Nov. 6 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Nov. 7 from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

"Everyone should have a winter coat and a hat to stay warm this winter," Brazeau said.

Officials said each family member must be present to collect their winter coat and only one coat per person will be provided.