It's been several years since schoolteacher Jack MacFadden looked out across a chilly winter school yard, and decided that, in this community, there was no reason for a child to have to face a Canadian winter without proper winter wear.

He involved his students at W.H. Day Elementary School, staff, parents and volunteers, and started up a program that recycles winter coats, hats, mitts, snowsuits and bunting bags.   Residents donate good quality winterwear, which is cleaned and sorted by a crew of volunteers, before being made available to families in need, through the "Coats for Kids" program.
 
Over the years, Coats for Kids has reached out beyond the boundaries of Bradford West Gwillimbury.  Donations have helped not only local kids, whose families are not financially able to replace lost, stolen, damaged or outgrown coats, but have assisted kids in local women's shelters, and have provided warmth for children in Bosnia, Kosovo, and in a northern Inuit community devastated by avalanche.

Coats for Kids now has a permanent drop-off and pick up depot, at the St. Mary's "A" Hall (Frederick and Barrie St., behind the Bradford West Gwillimbury Child & Family Services Building). Starting October 16th, the Depot will be open two nights a week - Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. each evening.
   
Families who need a helping hand keeping their kids warmly dressed for winter can drop in and try on the coats - cleaned by volunteers, or by Hank's Cleaners. And donors can drop off outgrown and unneeded winterwear at the Hall, at the Bradford branch of the Royal Bank, 26 Holland Street East, or Subway, 172-A Holland Street West.

For more information, contact Jack MacFadden, 775-9691.

WANTED LIST....

. Coat Rack. Several coat racks have been donated/constructed, but there is a need for more. Do you have a business that has recently renovated and has several old racks available? Put them to work, for a good cause.

. Drywaller. The Coats for Kids depot is in need of ceiling repairs, to make the environment more pleasant for the volunteers and the families who will be using the centre. The existing tiles are stained and crumbling. If you can volunteer some time to carry out repairs, call Jack MacFadden, 775-9691.