Man collects 1,000 bags of clothes for Bissell Centre
Edmonton man surpasses original target of collecting 1,000 bags of winter clothing for the less fortunate by the end of the month — and he’s not done yet, writes Dustin Cook.
Josh Hudon backed his truck up to the donation drop-off door at the Bissell Centre Thrift Shoppe, opened the tailgate and had to make a lunge for bags. This was about the 30th trip for the Edmonton resident to the thrift store and donation centre since he started a campaign in March to collect and donate 1,000 bags of clothing to the Bissell Centre by Dec. 1. And this Monday afternoon’s trip with 49 bags crammed into the back of his truck put him over that goal — but Hudon said he’s not done yet.
“I’m going to keep going to the end of the month,” Hudon said after unloading the final bags into the facility with help from his sister. “A lot of people can do what I just did.”
The campaign started as a way for the Adlyn Construction owner to help the city’s homeless after facing a tough situation that forced him to ponder how hard it is to live on the street, especially in the harsh winter.
“I could have lost my house, I could have lost my business, and it got me thinking,” Hudon said. “It’s going to be cold. And it’s going to be so hard for these people, so to be able to help in a small way in keeping them warm somewhat, it’s so important.”
The packed bags of socks, scarves, sweaters, sweatpants as well as household items and toys for children were dropped off throughout the campaign to the Alberta Avenue thrift store where they were sorted and either brought to the downtown centre to be given out for free or sold at the thrift store with proceeds going back into Bissell Centre services.
Immediately after launching the campaign, Hudon said he was overwhelmed with the response from the community and had bags sitting on his front porch from strangers every night. He also reached out to his network of colleagues, friends and local businesses through social media, who all were quick to show their support.
“The first weekend, I probably had 85 bags in my living room,” he said. “I’d come home after work and two to three bags are on the step. I have no idea where they come from.”
This response of overwhelming support is what Edmontonians are known for, said Bissell Centre communications manager Devin Komarniski, noting how grateful the centre is for community donations heading into the winter months.
“You always hear people wonder, ‘What can I do as one person?’ But everybody has a network,” he said. “Edmontonians are known for supporting each other so you’ll be surprised what we can do together as a community.”
As Hudon continues this initiative, he is also looking ahead to a “massively ambitious” fundraising goal of $60,000 for the city’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in February.
Those hoping to help Hudon’s campaign can email onethousandbags@hotmail.com
It’s going to be cold. And it’s going to be so hard for these people, so to be able to help in a small way in keeping them warm somewhat, it’s so important. Josh Hudon