SUNDRE – A local volunteer has stepped up to try and ensure Coats for the Cold endures even after Neighbours Helping Neighbours, which used to oversee the program, ceased operations earlier this fall.
Eileen Walker was able to make arrangements in coordination with Marty Mennear to secure a location in front of Sundre Pharmasave to place the rack of gently used warm winter coats and apparel, which went up on Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Walker expressed a desire to keep alive the initiative started years ago as a result of a McDougall Chapel Bible study group brainstorming session that was led by Shelley Kohut.
“I worked with Shelley at that time,” said Walker, adding those efforts had ultimately led to Neighbours Helping Neighbours being established.
“It was Shelley’s idea; she was our Bible study leader and she started it all.”
But in Kohut’s absence following the difficult decision to shutter down Neighbours Helping Neighbours, Walker figured she would try and pick up the reins.
“I just thought, well I’m going to see if I can start something; just sort of try to carry on as Shelley had done it,” she said.
It didn’t take long for someone to offer up a coat rack after Walker put a shoutout on local social media.
“It just went from there,” she said, candidly confessing with a chuckle that the experience is a new one.
“I’m not a great organizer; I like to help, but I usually like to be following someone,” she said with a light laugh.
Yet based on the initial responses to her social media post, many people seemed interested in pitching in.
“Over the years, people have just brought coats and warm clothes and hung it on the rack. So, I’m hoping this will be the case,” she said.
“The people of Sundre supporting it is what’s going to make it successful. And it sounds like there are people who are putting stuff out, or will be,” she added.
“I’m looking forward to that.”
On the first day the rack was placed out in front of Pharmasave, Walker said there were only two coats. However, they were quickly claimed.
“I went in shopping at Freson Brothers, and the coats were there,” she said. “And when I got out of Freson Brothers, they were gone. So, that was good; that’s the purpose of it.”
Now, it’s a matter of making sure the rack has items available for anybody in need.
“If you’ve got gently used coats or gently used winter outerwear, please bring them to the Coats for the Cold rack in front of PharmaSave,” she said.
