Spreading the warmth
Parents waited patiently at the Summerside Boys and Girls club with fingers curled around tickets on Saturday morning.
Many are there for the same reason – to collect winter wear for their children as a sudden dip in temperature reminds them that the cold weather season is just around the corner.
Sandra Gallagher, co-ordinator of Coats for Kids in Summerside, understands the struggles of the families waiting their turn to collect clothing because years ago she walked in their shoes.
“When my child was younger, I had to access a local service club that provided Coats for Kids, so that’s why I decided this would be something I would like to do,” she explained.
Gallagher took over the annual Coats for Kids campaign six years ago after the local service club closed its doors due to a lack of space and volunteers.
“We don’t turn anyone away,” she said. “There’s a high demand for these items. We just finished helping a dad get coats, boots, hats and mitts for his six kids.”
Volunteers were kept on their toes assisting families with winter apparel that ranged from old and new snowsuits, coats, hats, mitts, scarves, boots and more.
“Last year we had 300 people, so we hope to be able to help as many this year if not more,” Gallagher said. “Some of the new snowsuits came from Centennial Auto Group, and the rest came from money that we raised from being at the farmers’ market and taking donations on gift baskets and stuff like that,” she added.
Hayley Little of Summerside was hauling a bag of clothes for her three children.
“I was uptown the other day and looking at snowsuits, and it was about $70 for one,” she said. “I have three kids to dress and that gets expensive, so it’s very nice to have something like this in the community.
“And every year we have to replace the clothes because they are getting bigger. It doesn’t take them long to grow, so this is very handy.”
The clothing giveaway at the Summerside Boys and Girls club, located at 364 Notre Dame St., kicked off at 10:30 a.m. and wrapped up after 2 p.m.
“A lot of people got help, and I’m happy,” said Gallagher, with a grin. “And we had lots of help from the Summerside Western Capitals; they are excellent.”
Before the doors opened to the public, the youth in the waiting room were invited to play a friendly basketball game with the players in the recreation hall.