Coats For Kids looking for winter weather gear

Winter is just around the corner and one Island association is hoping to make it a little warmer for some.

Downtown Charlottetown has begun itsannual Coats For Kids fundraiser, and islooking for donations before the Oct.28 deadline.

Dawn Alan, the executive director of Downtown Charlottetown, said the proof the fundraiser is still needed, is found in its yearly success.

"No matter how many coats we gather each year, they're all distributed and picked up," said Alan.

More than coats for kids

Despite the name of the fundraiser, it's not just about coats for kids. They need all sorts of cold weather gear.

"We collect everything that anyone wants to donate for outside winter wear. So hats, mitts, gloves, boots, snowsuits, anything really," said Alan.

Another specific need is for clothing made for older kids.

"Sometimes when we're doing Coats For Kids people forget the adult sizes that teens need.We don't want to forget them," said Alan.

Community effort

It's not just Downtown Charlottetown working on the fundraiser. The Confederation Court Mall is offering space to store and sort the coats, Stern's Laundry iscleaning the coats and the Salvation Army is delivering them.

"It's a huge community effort and we're so appreciative of all of them," said Alan.

Normally the Salvation Army books appointments with families who need coats, but this year the organization istrying something different. It's openinga pop-up clothing store, where families who rely on the service can drop byat their leisure and choose thecoats they want off the rack.

"You simply go in, if you're in need, as if it was a store. Bring your whole family, try things on, look in the mirror, let the kids choose the colour and the prints that they want," said Alan.

If you want to donate a coat take it to the fundraiser's depot at the Confederation Court Mall, by the National Bank entrance.

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