United Way Peterborough and PATH to Keep Everyone Warm With Coats For Community Campaign Launch
/In an effort to address the needs of adults for the upcoming colder weather, United Way Peterborough & District, in partnership with Peterborough Action For Tiny Homes (PATH), has launched its annual Coats for Community campaign, announced on Wednesday afternoon.
Jim Russell, United Way CEO (far left); Bev Assinck of PATH (second from left) and PATH volunteers in the coat room in preparation for cleaning and repairing before being redistributed to the public. Photo by David Tuan Bui.
The campaign is an expanded version of the original Coats for Kids initiative which was started in 1986.
The Coats for Community campaign collects winter essentials—coats, boots, sleeping bags, blankets, and more-for infants, children, youth, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals across Peterborough. Items are distributed through United Way agency partners and other local organizations throughout the winter.
Donations are collected and distributed continuously throughout the season, rather than through a single-day pickup event.
Participating agencies include: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children's Foundation, YWCA, One City, Good Neighbours, New Canadians Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, YES Shelter For Youth & Families, among others.
Last year, 2,200 coats were collected and distributed, surpassing the 1,844 in 2023. While there is no specific goal for the number of items to be collected, Beverly Assinck of PATH says the campaign aims to gather as many as possible for this year’s campaign.
“We really are asking people to dig deep, as deep as we can,” she said.
In addition to winter jackets, the campaign is also asking for donations of the following:
Extra-large boxes or bins for collection sites
Heavy-duty coat racks
Sleeping bags and blankets
Winter boots
