Winter Wardrobe Donations steps up to cover for Coats for Kids

After hearing the news that the annual Coats for Kids winter clothing drive will be cancelled this year, 22-year-old Micaela Coccimiglio knew she had to do her part to help out. She has created a Facebook group called “Winter Wardrobe Donations” in order to collect winter apparel and donate to families in need. 

“The pandemic has caused a lot of families, and also our community, to already be in a deficit in certain areas and as soon as I found out that our annual Coats for Kids wouldn't be running I knew there was something I had to do one way or another,” she said.  

“I understand where they’re coming from and I know it's difficult to navigate through rules and regulations right now so my main purpose for this is to bridge the gap for our community and families in need. During these times we need to create a united front and lean on each other in times of need. It takes a village. As a mother of two, I couldn't imagine any guardians not knowing how they'll provide these things and feeling guilty because they shouldn't. This year has been like no other and I can't imagine children going without. I just knew I could make a change,” said the Sault College student. 

Coccimiglio’s Facebook group has been growing quickly since she started it on October 17. 

 “Right now there are 355 members, and I know that if more people become aware of it, it could grow to much more and we could help more people. Our main donation right now is coming from Gees Tree Removal Service, they will be buying winter apparel like snowsuits, mitts, hats, and anything else the community may need. Many individuals from the community are donating clothing and offering to purchase apparel to donate as well. A few businesses have also reached out and offered to be a drop off site for the cause, which is so generous,” she said. 

Regarding COVID-19, Coccimiglio is being careful of how her clothing drive will work and urges the members to be mindful as well. 

“Individuals are currently posting what they have available for donation in the group, and if it is something a family needs they are to comment and arrange contactless pick-up/drop-off for the items,” she said. “A post was created in the group asking families what they need (snowsuits, mitts, sizes, etc.) and asking them to comment on the post so businesses and individuals who are buying items can buy accordingly to make sure families are getting what they need.  If money donations are given, I personally will be shopping for apparel and delivering it to the families and submitting receipts for items back to the individual/business who donates. The post is up for anyone in the community to comment, the more people we can help the better.”

Donations to Coccimiglio’s winter clothing drive will be ongoing throughout the season, and she says she will do her best to keep helping when and where she can. 

“By the end of this, I hope to help as many families as I can. I hope that families feel comfortable for the season, I hope that kids have what they need to stay warm, and I hope that the community sees just how much we can accomplish when we come together as one and make a difference,” she said.