United Way of Chatham-Kent and The Salvation Army are set to launch the 2016 Operation Cover-Up program with the event “Coats for Coffee” on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 as part of the initiatives taking place to celebrate Positivity Day.
People across Chatham-Kent can drive-thru “The 425” circular parking lot and drop off their clean, gently used winter coats between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. In exchange, the first 200 people will get a free hot cup of coffee.
“Although most people may not be thinking about winter yet, we start the collection period early in the fall to ensure when the temperatures drop people have access to weather appropriate clothing. We are urging people, if they have some spare time this long weekend, to go through their closets,” says Mary Symons, Operation Cover-Up Coordinator.
“Coats for Coffee” is supported by the Prosperity Roundtable and the United Way of Chatham-Kent’s Women’s Leadership Council.
Although the event is a single day, the coat collection period of Operation Cover-Up will continue to Wednesday, November 30, 2016. The community can take coats to their local Salvation Army Thrift Stores in Blenheim, Chatham, Ridgetown, and Wallaceburg. In Dresden coats can be dropped off at McBrayne Feed and Supply Ltd., in Thamesville at Vivian Cleaners, and in Tilbury at the Information and HELP Centre.
This year the distribution period will run from Tuesday, October 11, 2016 to Saturday, November 19, 2016 at The Salvation Army locations in Blenheim, Chatham, Ridgetown, and Wallaceburg as well as the Tilbury Information and HELP Centre.
For more information about Operation Cover-Up or “Coats for Coffee”, please contact Mary Symons at 519-354-0430 or goodneighbours@uwock.ca.
