Warmth From Community
Residents in 11 Division once again stepped up to the plate and donated generously to their Community Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) fifth annual hat and mitt drive.
Among them was a 97-year-old woman who donated 35 knitted pieces she made last year.
“She didn’t want to make a fuss about it,” said Crime Prevention Officer Const. Joseph Guerreiro.”
“She just wanted to help out and remain anonymous without taking any recognition or anything like that.”
The drive started in 2009 to help those in need stay warm during the winter. Every year, empty boxes are placed in area libraries, community centres, businesses and at a bingo hall, where community members can bring hats, mitts, gloves, scarves, socks and hoodies.
This year, residents donated more than 90 bags stuffed with clothing that was sorted on Dec. 14.
“The response has been good every year, but this was our best year,” said Guerreiro.
Ward 13 councillor Sarah Doucette, also a member of the Division’s CPLC for the past 11 years, has a donation box placed in her office at City Hall annually.
“It’s fantastic,” she said. “We collect all these hats, gloves, socks and hoodies over the years and they are distributed to people who need these clothes in the winter.”
The clothing is distributed to shelters, community centres and soup kitchens in the Division.
The drive has attracted several corporate sponsors. McGregor Socks donated 500 pairs of socks, Mark’s donated six boxes of clothing, Uline Canada Inc. donated 200 mesh bags for the sorted clothes, and Tim Hortons provided hot chocolate and sandwiches for the sorters.
