Duane Hicks
Nearly 100 district children will have new coats this winter.
The Knights of Columbus–Rainy Lake Council’s “Coats4Kids” 2017 campaign wrapped up recently, with organizer Nathan Cousineau delivering eight dozen (96) winter jackets last week to the Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child and Family Services to distribute to at-risk youth in Fort Frances and the surrounding area.
Cousineau said the third-annual campaign was very successful, raising about $2,500.
But just as importantly, he noted the number of community partners supporting the initiative grew tenfold over last year.
“What we did last year with one or two groups, we did spread out over roughly 25 corporate sponsors, so we got a lot more support than we did last year, which is great,” Cousineau remarked.
“It was a huge success and we’re looking forward to continuing it next year,” he enthused, adding the campaign will start a bit earlier next year so the coats can be delivered well before the snow flies and the temperature dips.
As campaign organizer, Cousineau may have been leading the charge, meeting sponsors and shaking hands.
But he credited Tina Roth, the clerk at St. Mary’s Parish, and Greg Mercure, the Knights of Columbus–Rainy Lake Council treasurer, for all of their behind-the-scenes support.
Cousineau also noted the campaign is just the sort of initiative the KCs love to do.
“We’re committed to providing a helping hand to people in the community that need it most,” he noted.
“Families first–that’s really the ethos that we follow.”
The coats are distributed through a partnership with the KRRDCFS.
Cheyenne Calder, a family support practitioner with the agency, said the coats not only will go to families served through the KRRDCFS both here and in Atikokan, but she’ll also contact agencies such as the United Native Friendship Centre, Métis Nation of Ontario’s Healthy Babies, Healthy Children program, Weechi-it-te-win Family Services, the Northwestern Health Unit, and others.
Calder noted one box of coats, for sure, will be sent to the Rainy River District Women’s Shelter of Hope in Atikokan.
“They’re not just for the kids they have there right now; it’s awesome for them to keep some on hand because kids can end up there with nothing,” she reasoned.
Calder added the KRRDCFS is grateful to be the point of contact, and is happy to help as many children as possible via its partners.
And make no mistake: the coats are needed.
Calder stressed absolutely all of the winter coats they receive are given out. This fall, there were about 10 left over from last year’s “Coats4Kids” drive but they all went as soon as it got cold.
“Even if we don’t them all out right away, by the time’s next year’s shipment comes around, they’re gone,” she noted.
“I feel like the need is greater than the supply,” said Cousineau.
“There’s way more kids out there that need a jacket than what we can provide for.”
But even so, the level of support from local businesses and individuals is without question.
“This community is so amazing,” said Calder.
“Between ‘Coats4Kids,’ ‘Backpacks for Kids, and ‘Adopt-An-Angel’–I’m involved in all of those programs–and the generosity of Fort Frances continues to amaze me,” she remarked.
“Incredible.”
