When spring finally arrives, the last thing you want to see on your coat rack is, well, coats.
Each year since 2012, the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS® helps people get rid of those unwanted coats by hosting a springtime winter coat drive. This year, from April 24 to April 27, the association once again opened its closet doors and collected nearly 300 coats, bringing their five year total to 1,500 coats collected for those in need.
“We call around to charities to see what they need and then hold onto the coats until the fall considering a lot of them don’t have the storage space for all those coats,” said Kim Hannah, 2016-2017 President of the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS®. “It’s a great way to help out the community and, at the same time, give people a chance to donate those unwanted items when they are doing spring cleaning.”
The coat drive isn’t limited to just jackets, so long as the winter wear is clean and in good condition.
“We especially try to promote the fact we’re collecting kids’ coats as they are very much in need,” Hannah said.
The coats will be distributed evenly to several food banks and outreach centres in the association’s coverage area.
“It’s very easy to organize, especially with a good social media strategy,” Hannah said, encouraging other offices around the country to hold similar clothing drives.
