WINTER COAT NO MERE COLD COMFORT FOR PASSERBY
Mark Clairmont | MuskokaTODAY.com
A recent Rotary coat drive was an early Christmas gift for many.
Muskoka service clubs collected and handed out hundreds of free winter covers through Fabricare, which cleaned and did the distribution at their cleaning centres in Gravenhurst, Bracebridge and Huntsville in late November.
And while not all the adult parkas and kids’ snowsuits were picked up, organizer John de Koning arranged for hangers and boxloads of wear to go to the Salvation Army Thrift Shops.
De Koning dropped them off last week and they were being quarantined before being offered at nominal prices.
And he related this “heart-warming” tale that put into perspective the drive’s purpose.
“While we were hanging some of the coats, one of the Thrift Store employees told me a very heart-warming, true story.
“She stated that earlier today a man was walking by the Thrift Store in Gravenhurst and one of the employees was outside and said hello to him. The employee noticed that the man did not have a coat and the man replied that he didn’t have a coat and couldn’t afford to buy one.
“At the time Fabricare still had the coats, so she sent him to Fabricare for a free winter coat.
“The employee told me that this was just one example of someone needing a winter coat and that she knew for a fact that there was a ‘real need’ for winter coats in Muskoka.
“She stated that she was very thankful that Rotary, Fabricare and the Salvation Army Thrift Store were helping people in need.”
De Koning added: “The employee was wearing a mask, but I could see in her eyes that she was genuine when she stated that the winter coat drive had a real impact.
“The moment felt like a Christmas fairy tale. That one story made the entire coat drive worthwhile.”
Email [email protected] or [email protected]
Celebrating 26 YEARS of ‘Local Online Journalism’
Follow us at Twitter @muskokatodaily & on Facebook at mclairmont1
Leave your comments at end of story. Or write a letter to the Editor at [email protected]
And subscribe for $25 by e-transferring to [email protected]
Or online at https://muskokatoday.com/subscriptions
