OLDS — Last week’s blast of cold, wind and snow heightened the need to make sure everyone has warm, winter clothing says Darlene Hyatt.
Hyatt is the senior pastor at the Hope Pointe Community Church Of The Nazarene which is once again running its annual Coats For Everyone (CFE).
CFE is available for anyone in Mountain View County and the urban municipalities within it.
Those who have clean, gently used winter coats and boots for people of all ages are urged to drop them off at the Hope Pointe Community Church Of The Nazarene, located at 5402 43rd Street, Olds.
Hyatt says they’d prefer to receive those donations Tuesdays or Thursdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., but if other days work better for donors, that can be arranged by calling the church at 403-556-8820.
Volunteers are working on setting up drop-off locations elsewhere in the area as well.
The primary focus right now is to obtain coats and boots.
“We have a fair number of gloves and toques and scarves, so we really don’t need those replenished.
“But if somebody’s knitted some, we have a few people who knit and do different things, so we’re always appreciative if somebody’s got those items, but in particular, coats and boots for all ages and stages,” Hyatt said during an interview.
Hyatt said just recently, winter wear was in short supply.
“We were desperate last week and down to almost nothing left. Some folks have dropped some off, so that’s good, but we could always use more.”
She says the snow and last week’s cold temperatures seemed to really spur things. She figures about 30 households came and picked items up.
Hyatt was asked if this year’s warm fall temperatures delayed donations and pick-ups of winter clothing.
“Well I don’t know that it did,” she said. “I think that it’s just that there’s always that first snow and then people go, ‘oh my goodness, I need a coat.’ And it did sort of come quite fierce this year.”
It's not obvious that the warm fall delayed donations, but Hyatt concedes it could have had an effect.
“I think that, you know, maybe people were a little bit later cleaning out closets and stuff, who knows? Because it was nice weather.”
The plan is to run the campaign until about mid-March, depending on weather.
“If it’s still pretty of stormy and awful, then we keep it open,” Hyatt said.
Volunteers are always welcome.
“We’re always appreciative if there’s some people who want to volunteer to help keep the little pop-up store looking good," she said with a short laugh.
