Coats for Kids campaign underway in Sudbury

Coats for Kids kicked off earlier this month with the radio station Pure Country 91.7 teaming up with the Palladino Auto Group to gather donations that will be distributed by Better Beginnings Better Futures. (Alana Everson/CTV News)

Sudbury — There is a campaign in Sudbury to help keep people warm this winter. Coats for Kids kicked off earlier this month with the radio station Pure Country 91.7 teaming up with the Palladino Auto Group to gather donations that will be distributed by Better Beginnings Better Futures.

Items include warm hats and snowsuits to keep kids warm. Gently used winter clothing for adults is also being accepted.

"For moms, dads and kids, it's Coats for Kids, but it's really for everybody," said Genevieve Gibbons from Better Beginnings Better Futures. "And there is a definite need. We've clothed over these years, every year almost 500 people have been helped,"

Given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic organizers said the need is greater than ever.

"This year, especially given the socio-economic environment that we are in, there is always a need," said Marissa Holla of the Palladino Auto Group. "But it is definitely heightened this year as people have had a lot of their income interrupted and there is a little bit of uncertainty."

Coats for Kids has been helping families for almost a decade.

"The community closet at Better Beginnings Better Futures is where all these donations go," said Coop, the host of Pure Country 91.7 mornings. "Every single year, the community comes up in big, big ways, to drop off these donations. Now typically we would have people drop stuff off at the radio station but that can't happen this year."

Donations can be dropped off any Palladio Auto Group showroom during business hours until the end of November.

Organizers said there is a real need for winter boots this year. People in need of winter wear can pick it up at Better Beginnings Better Futures on Morin Avenue, but must call first.