Terry Gibson has been with United Way Pembina Valley in various capacities for 12 years. This year he’s focusing on the Koats for Kids campaign, a community effort to get unused clothing into the hands of people that really need them.

“It involves the fire departments of the Valley here. It involves Central Station, and Shine and Share. There's just some really good people all over our community that do a lot of work on it and make these available," said Gibson. He explained the campaign runs in two sections. “One is collecting coats, and one is getting them distributed."

Gibson says donations can be dropped in red bins at two locations. 

The donation bin at the Morden fire hall.

“In front of the Winkler Fire station, there's a great big red drop off box, and in Morden it's at the rear of the fire station by the big shed, they can drop it off there. We get everything given to us and so we charge exactly what it costs us. They get it for nothing," he explained. "The [pick-up] places..in Winkler they pick-up at Central Station and at Shine and Share, and in Morden we set up right in the shed behind the fire department.”

The campaign is looking for winter items for children and adults, such as jackets, snow pants, toques, mittens, scarves - anything that will help families in need stay warm in the months ahead. “People come in looking for a coat for their child and they're wearing a hoodie and it's minus 10 out. We're really happy that people have given us adult clothing at that time because we've seen people come in and just want to get something for their kids and are happy to get it. If we can send them out with a nice coat on they look like different people – they look happier, they look warmer and it's just a great feeling," said Gibson.

Gibson says both new and used items in good condition are most welcome. “We’re looking for winter wear for kids. And when we say that, we get winter wear for everybody and we give it all away. We’re looking for parkas, scarves, mitts, toques, that sort of thing.”

Gibson says if there’s one thing they never get enough of, it is boots. “They’re a hot item and they go fast. Anything with winter footwear, if it’s in decent shape, we are very interested.”

The agency’s donation drive runs from October 15th to November 9th. Local families can stop by the Morden Fire Hall or Shine & Share at Winkler’s Central Station Community Centre for our distribution nights on Monday, Nov. 8 from 4:30-6:30pm or Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 9:30-11:30 am and 4:30-6:30 pm. There is no charge for any of the clothing. Anyone who needs it is welcome to come pick something up.