Connolly Tate-Mitchell stands next to some of the coats that had been donated for this years Coats for Kids drive.
Nobody should be without winter clothes when the snow hits or the temperature drops.
That is what United Way Lethbridge, along with TD Bank are doing this year.
Coats for Kids and Toasty Toes is a yearly drive that collects gently used coats and new socks for people of all ages who would otherwise go without.
Connolly Tate-Mitchell works for the United Way and says that it started as a pretty small initiative, but has grown over the past three years.
“Last year we had a total of 450 coats and up to 1,000 other items of winter gear donated and this year we’re on track to be about the same,” said Tate-Mitchell.
The winter items get distributed around Lethbridge and surrounding areas where there is a need.
United Way works with lots of different agencies and partners in Lethbridge who work with at risk and disadvantaged populations.
This connection allows United Way to find out where there are needs, and then do their best to accommodate the needs of the community.
Tanya Lee is a fourth year student at the college getting her justice degree and feels that the Coats for Kids drive is a beneficial cause, not only in Lethbridge, but across Canada.
“No child should ever have to suffer the consequences of not having suitable clothing in the cold Alberta winters. Lethbridge is a community that offers many services to support its residents in need,” said Lee.
The cost of living in our country is excessively high and continues to be on the rise.
With that, the number of people living near or below the poverty line is constantly increasing.
The public can get more involved in initiatives like the Coats for Kids and Toasty Toes drive in many ways.
United Way is always looking for more donations, at this point in the year they are looking for more youth and children sizes.
That is because the request for those sizes have gone up since 2015.
Anywhere from little baby sizes to something that might fit up to a 16-year-old are the sizes that are needed for this year.
There are multiple drop off points from any TD Branch to the United Way located at 1277 3rd Avenue South.
