AMHERST, N.S. – Amherst’s Knights of Columbus have gone a long way to making sure children and adults across Cumberland County will be warm this winter.
The Amherst council 2916 contributed 96 winter jackets of varying sizes to member of Coats for Cumberland on Oct. 25.
“Our organization has the mandate of supporting our parish, supporting our community and supporting our brothers when they or their families need help,” Grand Knight Rick d’Entremont said.
This is the second time the Knights of Columbus have supported Coats for Cumberland. Two years ago, they supplied 46 jackets. Those jackets were American made, while the latest jackets are Canadian made and should be much better for winter.
“They’re Canadian made for Canadian winters and there are sizes from small, medium, large and extra large,” d’Entremont said. “The jackets are gorgeous and the kids are going to love them. We know that not all students go to school equally when it comes to breakfast and clothing. This is one way in which we can help.”
d’Entremont said the Knights of Columbus have an excellent tradition of supporting the church and community, including re-installing the former bell from the old St. Charles at Holy Family Parish and helping with the installation earlier this year of an electronic sign in front of the church.
The organization is also a supporter of the Amherst Minor Basketball Association.
Proceeds come from its fundraising endeavours, such as its weekly bingo at its Robie Street centre.
Colleen Dowe of Coats for Cumberland said the jackets have come at a perfect time.
“We have just set our store dates and will soon be working on distributing the coats we collect,” Dowe said. “Donations have been down a little over the last couple of years, but the need is as great as always. These jackets are perfect for most elementary school children.”
Dowe said everyone from Empowering Beyond Barriers and the Coats for Cumberland committee are thrilled with the donation.
“These coats from the Knights of Columbus are going to help us reach out goal of keeping everyone warm this winter,” she said.
More than 1,000 people are expected to use Coats for Cumberland this winter and Dowe said there's a tremendous need for gently used winter clothing items. Something that's really needed is snow pants for kids as well as youth sizes eight to 16 and plus sizes for adults.
"Many parents will go above and beyond to make sure their children have winter clothing, but unfortunately many will go without for themselves," Dowe said. "It's important for people to realize this program is for everyone and there's usually lots of clothing. The community is so generous."
Gently used jackets and winter wear, especially snowpants, can be dropped off at various locations across Cumberland County including Sobeys in the Amherst Centre Mall, the Amherst Stadium and Holy Family Parish until Nov. 15; at the Pugwash Co-op until Nov. 7; at the Wentworth Learning Centre until Nov. 13; at the NSCC in Springhill until Nov. 20 and Oxford town hall until Nov. 20. There is also a drop-off bin at the Rite Stop in Wallace.
People can pick up clothing on Nov. 14 from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at the North Cumberland Memorial Hospital, on Nov. 15 at the Port Greville Fire Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Nov. 16 at the Amherst Centre Mall from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., also Nov. 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. George’s Anglican Church in Parrsboro, Nov. 20 from the Chignecto Manor in Advocate, on Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the NSCC in Springhill and Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Wentworth Learning Centre.
Last year, there were 422 jackets picked up, 64 snowpants, 58 pairs of boots, 211 hats, 208 pairs of mittens and 99 scarves.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
