A local non-profit group is doing its part this year to ensure everyone, no matter what age, will have a warm winter coat to wear when the cold weather hits.
Sylvan Lake Community Partners’ Association’s ‘Coats For Kids and Families’ program is now underway.
Office manager Jennifer Lemega said the public is urged to bring winter coats to Sylvan Lake & Area Community Partners’ Association located at 4936 50th Avenue or drop them off at Crystal Clean Laundromat in Lakeland Plaza.
Owner Neil McLeod said he has been collecting coats at that location for a few years. He added volunteers come in to ensure the coats are clean and in good condition so they can be passed on to others.
“With the beautiful fall weather we’ve been having, people aren’t thinking about winter coats, but they need to,” he said. “Some people out there don’t have coats.”
Lemega said the Coats for Kids program includes coats for adults, as well. Touques, mitts, boots and scarves are also available.
Last year, more than 350 adult and children’s coats were given out through the Coats for Kids program.
Sylvan Lake Community Partners’ Association (SLCPA) is a registered non-profit charity operated by a volunteer board of directors and three employed staff.
As well as Coats for Kids, the organization oversees many other projects and programs including the compassion fund, the Community Christmas Dinner, the Heroes School Project, Arts Around the Lake and Gallery and the Women’s Wellness Retreat.
Monthly coffee sharing time, Sylvan Family Matters, the community emergency fund and the 1913 Days compassion garage sale event are also run under the auspices of Sylvan Lake Community Partners’ Association.
The board, staff and volunteers also participate in various fundraisers to raise money for SLCPA affiliated programs and projects.