The need for coats, boots, mittens and gloves has increased, as the two local Lions organizations continue to run out of items for residents needing warm clothing this winter.
The North Newmarket Lions Club and Newmarket Lions Club 10th annual Coats for Kids program runs every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Quaker Meeting House on 17030 Yonge St. until Jan. 25, 2025.
The program provided 160 coats on Thanksgiving and the weekend after and is on track to surpass last year’s 850 coats. Co-ordinator Leah Springford said they hardly had anybody during October years ago, but now there has been a rise in clients.
“We are seeing people every week, and we have a line-up every week,” said Springford. “Every week, we’re giving away 60 to 80 coats. There is a need.”
She said they have enough clothing for children, but adults clothing is in need.
“The demand for adult clothes is huge, and we never have enough,” said Springford. “We have families come in and we give coats to the kids. They are outfitted and have their coats, boots, and hats, but there’s not much for mom and dad because we’re so low on adult clothes.”
The lack of adult clothing comes as the Lions seek a new home to house their items. Springford said it can only operate from the Quaker House from October to January. During the off-season, it houses clothing items in a storage unit.
“We’re always looking for a permanent home, somewhere where we can be all year so we can store everything in the summer and then come back to it in the fall, said Springford.
She said the clubs retrieve the coats at their storage units with their trucks and take them to the Quaker House. They would then return the leftover coats to the units and wait until next season.
They have reached out to other non-profit organizations and businesses in town without any luck — in fact, they have tried for the past five years to find a permanent home.
You can donate gently used winter coats, boots, hats, mitts, snow pants, and scarves for all family members at the Newmarket Public Library, Zona’s The Children’s Shoe Store, Magna Centre, Budget Car Rental, Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex, and Aurora Family Leisure Complex.
For more information, contact the North Newmarket Lions Club via email at [email protected] or call 905-895-1441.
