ELMSDALE: With colder weather approaching, the COAT Association is asking East Hants residents to help ensure local families have warm winter clothing by donating gently used, winter-weight outerwear ahead of its annual Big Give.
The free winter outerwear giveaway is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Old Elementary School in Elmsdale.
Main organizer Catherine Miller and the COAT Association are encouraging residents to check their closets for winter items they no longer need and get donations in before the event.
The Big Give gives community members an opportunity to access warm clothing for themselves and their families at no cost, helping them prepare for the winter months ahead.
COAT stands for Community Offering Assistance Together. The organization collects and redistributes warm clothing and other winter essentials to people who need them in the East Hants area.
The initiative grew out of efforts to help ensure children and families had appropriate winter clothing, and has continued through community donations and volunteer support.
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Miller is asking donors to pay particular attention to the type of items being collected this year.
Due to limited space and volunteer capacity, COAT can only accept winter coats, snowsuits, hats, mittens and gloves for this collection.
Light coats, hoodies, sweaters and footwear cannot be accepted.
Organizers say sorting through items that cannot be used creates additional work for volunteers, while other local organizations may be able to accept those donations.
Residents are asked to donate gently used winter-weight outerwear in good condition, with donations requested before Nov. 7 so the items can be prepared for the giveaway.
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Where to donate
Winter outerwear can be dropped off at the following locations:
- Leno’s Stop Shop in Elmsdale
- Mount Uniacke Library
- Hants North Food Bank
- Caring and Sharing Food Bank
- Sipekne’katik Food Bank
The COAT Association is reminding residents that the Big Give is an opportunity both to pass along winter clothing their families have outgrown or no longer use and to find items they may need for the coming season.
With community support, the organization hopes to have warm winter essentials available for local residents who need them when the event takes place Nov. 7.
