The donation bin during last years Wrapped up for the Holidays initiative at Gateway Mall. (Dawson Thompson/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Winter Clothing

Clothing Initiatives kick off in Prince Albert to support those in need

Nov 8, 2021 | 4:00 PM

A pair of winter clothing initiatives have or are soon to begin in the community to help those in need for the winter elements.

The 14^th annual Wrapped Up for the Holidays event has officially begun to help the less fortunate in Prince Albert.

The initiative, which was formed through a partnership between Parkland Ambulance, CTV, and the Gateway Mall, are looking for donations of blankets and winter clothing of all sizes.

Lyle Karasiuk, director of Public Affairs for Parkland Ambulance, said they’ll accept mittens, boots, toques, and coats for all ages.

“The need for homelessness to keep people warm, safe and comfortable is real,” Karasiuk said. “Anything that we can all do to participate and we as an agency are just happy to be involved.”

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They ask the public to make sure the items donated are clean because they don’t have the ability to clean them. They can be gently used but must be in good shape. For example, if donating boots, make sure they have laces and if it’s a coat make sure the zipper works.

“Things like that are really appreciated because again we don’t have the mechanisms nor the funding to go out and get these items repaired and we want to maximize the use of all the stuff we get,” he said. “Every year we’re blessed, and I want to thank Prince Albert and surrounding districts for the people that bring stuff in because every year we manage to collect an excess of 300 to 400 pieces of things.”

The items can be dropped off in the bin in front of the food court at Gateway Mall or at either of the Parkland Ambulance locations in Prince Albert.

The clothing and other items are then gifted out to the community at places such as the Stepping Stones shelter and Homeward Bound. It has also been given out to private individuals who work with those in need in the community.

“We’ve started our campaign we run this right through till early January but for sure if you’re cleaning out the closets in January, February or maybe even next summer and just don’t know where to drop it off, we’re happy to take it as we always have a need, and we always have those people that can benefit from the need and your generosity,” he explained.

Caring from a distance initiative

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division Distance Learning Centre, for the second year in a row, are also collecting winter gear to be given to the Stepping Stones Shelter.

On Tuesday, Nov. 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Distance Learning Centre will be at the north parking lot at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School with a Flaman’s trailer to gather items for their initiative called Caring from a Distance.

Flyer for the event. (Submitted photo/Carrie Grant-Walker)

Principal of the Distance Learning Centre Carrie Grant-Walker told paNOW people are welcome to pop by with donations of warm adult clothing. They are also looking for outdoor winter gear such as coats, toques, mittens and blankets.

The shelter is also in need of prepackaged individual food items such as granola bars and cereal bars.

“Well really one of our teachers Miss Jordan last year with her class they were talking about community service and initiatives and so we did this last year and managed to fill two trailers full of donations,” she said. “So again, coming around to leading up to Christmas time into winter time, Miss Jordan reached out to her contact again at the shelter and they indicated there was indeed a lot need again for clothing for people in need. We just decided that we would continue on with this initiative and it’s a great way to bring our school community together and to reach out to the entire P.A. community.”

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Ian.Gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @IanGustafson12