​More than 50 people find warmth, thanks to Kincardine Coat Drive

Thanks to the generous community, more than 50 adults and children found warm coats for the winter, free of charge, as the Kincardine Coat Drive distribution was held on the weekend at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine.

Organizer Wendy Cox said there were 14 long tables loaded with good warm coats, donated by people in the Kincardine area.

Friday evening, 23 adults and five children braved the bitter weather so they could be warmer in the future. Two of the adults came with lists so they could fit out their entire family, and by the time the evening wrapped up, one enthusiastic volunteer believed that 75 items had been procured.

Saturday, there were 18 adults and eight children, and the demand was pretty steady across the day.

Cox said that at the end of the distribution, 10 winter coats - plus hats, scarves and mitts – were left at Knox Church in case of future need, and representatives of Kincardine United Church and Bluewater Fellowship Church also took some items to have on hand, if needed.

This left one large bag of coats which Cox was taking to the United Way of Bruce Grey. Also, several bags of children’s clothes, and fall and spring items remained, and will eventually make their way to the Clothes Hamper in downtown Kincardine.

“The end result was that many area families left with warm clothes and big smiles on their faces and our helpers were showered with gratitude and some warm hugs,” said Cox. “Thank you to the wonderfully-generous Kincardine community; and the helpers who sorted, displayed, cleaned up, made coffee and hot dogs, took down tables and bagged leftover items.

“And especially, thank you to West Shore Clothing and Surf Shop and Little Beginnings Daycare and Learning Centre for being collection points for the coat drive.

“The lesson for us to take away? Start collecting earlier in 2024 so that we can distribute farther ahead of the snow season!”