Previous 'Wrapped up for the Holidays' bin setup at gateway Mall. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Helping Others

‘Wrapped up for the Holidays’ campaign back again in P.A.

Nov 2, 2022 | 8:00 AM

People in Prince Albert are once again being asked to donate winter clothing.

Parkland Ambulance is bringing back the ‘Wrapped up for the Holidays’ campaign for its 15^th year with help from their partners, Gateway Mall, CTV, and Anderson Motors.

Director of Public Affairs Lyle Karasiuk told paNOW when it launched, the idea was just to collect blankets for those in need, however, it’s evolved over the years.

“Over the years, people would bring us the odd coat and soon it became coats and boots, and now we’ll take any warm winter gear,” he said.

This includes socks, pants, sweaters, toques, and gloves.

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All the gear must be either new or gently used and must be cleaned beforehand.

“We don’t have the ability to clean it,” Karasiuk said.

As what’s being collected has evolved, so has the amount being donated.

Karasiuk noted last year they had a 20 x 20 tarp which was piled ‘sky high’ with items.

“We started off with a few bags of stuff and it’s grown to where we empty the Gateway Mall’s bin at least once a week,” he said.

Items can either be donated at Gateway Mall, Parkland Ambulance, or Anderson Motors. Everything collected will be given to local charities that will find the people that need it the most.

The campaign is expected to run until the first week of January, though Karasiuk added they’ll still accept donations year-round.

“We have the mechanisms to store it, albeit not that much,” he said.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow