The bin at the Gateway Mall for the Wrapped up for the Holidays campaign has been filled and emptied several times over already. (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Giving Tuesday Coats

Giving Tuesday sees influx of donations to Wrapped up for the Holidays campaign

Nov 30, 2022 | 2:56 PM

Giving Tuesday, an unofficial day on which charitable donations are even more encouraged on social media, proved an especially important day for the Wrapped up for the Holidays campaign with Parkland Ambulance. On that day, extra volunteers and an influx of donations helped get coats out to those in need.

“The bin at the Gateway Mall has been overflowing,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs. “We’ve emptied about three truckloads in the last week out of there. So thank you to this generous community for providing that to us so we can re-gift them.”

With the Salvation Army expecting to have more people asking for coats in the coming days, and with winter firmly entrenched, the homeless community in Prince Albert is in need of the coats and toques people offer up.

“Sadly, within our community, we know that we have a certain number of people that are homeless, that are going without, that are relying on the generosity of you and I,” Karasiuk said. “They rely on us to get something for them, and it’s through no fault of their own that they’re in those predicaments.”

The campaign has already seen some moving examples of support, including from 91-year-old Helen Marcotte, who hand-knits toques and donates them. She donates anywhere from 25 to 30 every six weeks.

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“It’s through that generosity of people like Mrs. Marcotte and so many others that are bringing products to us so that we can support groups like the Salvation Army and our shelters here in the city with blankets and winter clothing,” Karasiuk said.

The timing of the generosity is particularly good, as Prince Albert is headed for another frigid few days starting tomorrow. On that front, Karasiuk said even people who can’t donate to their cause can still help just by recognizing people in trouble.

“If you notice somebody in an ATM lobby, somebody that’s huddled under somewhere, and you think that they need help,” Karasiuk said, “please do them a favor, and reach out through emergency services. The easiest and quickest way is through 911. It may not seem like it’s an emergency, but they have mechanisms to connect you with our agency or with police.”

In the meantime, Karasiuk hopes the community’s generosity is just beginning. He said there’s no such thing as too many coats or blankets at this point.

“If I have to empty the bin at the Gateway Mall every other day, I’ll empty it every other day,” Karasiuk said. “It’s a good problem to have.”

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP