Leamington woman helps migrant workers
A Leamington woman is running an annual winter clothing drive to help hundreds of migrant workers arriving in Essex County wearing little more than T-shirts.
“It’s just a thing I do to help the workers because I’ve seen them downtown without coats,” said Joan Grey. “I know they’re coming in from the Caribbean islands in just a T-shirt. There’s no preparation made for them for clothes when they come here.”
Grey started the Unity Hopeful charity in 2011 to collect clothing for workers who arrive in Essex County unprepared for a Canadian winter. This season’s clothing drive began in November. She collects until the end of March.
“So far we haven’t had a good collection,” said Grey. “We have maybe about 100 we’ve collected since November.”
She said about 300 new workers arrived in Essex County on Thursday.
“They will be coming in every week, every day,” said Grey. “They stop coming around the end of March, early April.”
She said all winter clothing is needed, including tuques, gloves, socks, jackets and work boots or shoes. Grey said she is mainly focusing on collecting clothes for men, sizes medium and large.
Clothes can be dropped off at South Point Community Church, 475 Bevel Line. Grey said she will also pick up clothes in Essex County and as far as Chatham. Her number is 226-350-9379.