Winter is coming — and with the cold is the need for warmth.
Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown is once again partnering with the Burnaby Neighbourhood House for its annual Coats for Kids project this weekend.
The club has worked with community organizations and the local school district for more than 20 years to run the project and ensure all Burnaby children in need of a warm coat can have one.
According to the organizers, 1,700 coats were donated last year. The goal is to match or exceed that number to meet the community's increasing need.
For the coat drive, volunteers fundraise and purchase coats that are then place into a truck fully loaded with coat racks. The club volunteers then work with the Burnaby school district to identify children who could benefit from a new warm coat.
The coat trucks are the driven to each school, where children are invited to choose a coat of their liking.
The Rotary Club of Burnaby Metrotown has also partnered with Scotiabank (north branches) and The Amazing Brentwood to collect cash donations and/or new coats.
On Friday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 23, volunteers from the club and Scotiabank will be on-site at Brentwood's food court from noon to 3 p.m. to collect the donations (both cash and coats).
Scotiabank will be matching all donations made on these two fundraising days — for up to $3,000.
Charitable tax donations can also be made online through Burnaby Neighbourhood House.
