There are warm hearts in Olds to help those struggling from the cold.
And the Church of the Nazarene, in partnership with the town, is ensuring that no one gets left out.
"Everyone deserves to be warm for winter,î said Deborah Trehearne, coordinator of the Coats for Everyone campaign. "We don't care if you don't have any income or make $150,000 a year. We want to know if you are cold. It's winter.î
The program had its beginnings several years ago at the former Olds Neighbourhood Place when its mandate was to properly clothe temporary foreign workers. However, the church took it over in 2008. That year the program provided warm winter clothing to 25 families.
"When new Canadians came they didn't know how to dress for winter. It all started from there,î said Trehearne.
Since the church took over, the program has expanded its original mandate to include any citizen of Olds. In four years it has grown dramatically.
"I don't know if it is because the need has grown or that awareness has increased,î said Pastor Darlene Hyatt. "The town is really good at promoting it and people from the county are donating as well as are various schools and benevolent groups. It is quite encouraging to see the participation.î
This season's Coats for Everyone campaign began at the beginning of November. So far the program has served 81 families, a total that could go over 100 by spring, said Hyatt. The seasonal campaign will continue until at least March, longer if the cold weather continues along with the need.
The program has also become more than just a warm coat. It also provides hats, tuques, gloves, mittens and warm clothes for infants ñ for anyone of all ages and sizes.
It has become a full community program with many volunteers donating their time with clothing pickups, and businesses like Mark's Work Wearhouse and The Brick, stepping up to help with donations and setting up drop-off boxes.
Anyone who wants to access the Coats for Everyone program can call the church at 403-556-8820. Trehearne said if no one answers someone will return voice mail messages as soon as possible. She said folks can also drop by the church, located at 5402 43 St., on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
"It is always sad when somebody goes cold. A lot of people wear two or three coats while some don't even have one,î said Trehearne. "Sometimes we can take these things for granted and sometimes we have to wake up to reality at Christmas and realize that not everybody has this.î
