Coat For Kids

Overview:

Since 2008, the Knights of Columbus in Ontario have been raising funds to provide winter coats for children in need. Over the years, they have raised tens of thousands of dollars and donated approximately 100,000 coats to children across the province. The process is straightforward: local Knights of Columbus councils and the State Council collect donations, place bulk orders, and distribute the coats through various school boards before winter begins each year. Your support can help keep children warm and ensure they attend school during the colder months.

The Knights of Columbus in Ontario have long recognized the critical role of education in shaping responsible citizens. Since their establishment on January 28, 1900, they have been steadfast supporters of separate schools in the province.

However, funding and supporting schools is only part of the equation. Ensuring children can attend school year-round, including in the Fall, Winter, and Spring, is equally important. Unfortunately, many children from new Canadian families or underserved communities lack proper winter clothing, leading them to miss school during the cold months. Testimonials from those impacted by this program highlight its significance in the lives of school-aged children. You can hear their stories here.

State Deputy Bruce Poulin  shares how the Knights in Ontario became deeply involved in this initiative:

Growing up in the nation’s capital, I, like many others, faced cold, snowy winters every year. Yet, we always attended school, with snow days being a rare occurrence. I remember one winter during high school when a bus driver strike forced us to walk 1.5 km to school. Despite challenges like teacher strikes, bus driver strikes, financial constraints, or severe weather, we never missed school due to a lack of winter clothing. In fact, I don’t recall anyone missing school for that reason.

So, imagine my surprise when I joined the Knights in Ontario and learned about the Coats for Kids program! According to Statistics Canada, nearly 6.5 million children under the age of 17 were living in Canada in 2019. Even a small fraction of these children lacking winter clothing represents a significant number, potentially impacting the future of Canadian society.

What truly inspired me was the overwhelming support and mobilization within the Knights of Columbus in Ontario for the Coats for Kids program. Even the General Agents from the Knights of Columbus Insurance joined in, helping to establish this initiative as a signature charity of the Order in Ontario.

Three Ways You Can Help:

1. Cultivate empathy  by imagining what it feels like for these children to miss out on interacting with friends or attending school simply because they lack adequate winter clothing.

2. Spread the word among your family, friends, and neighbors to see how you can support our children and schools in promoting education.

3. Donate  to the Knights of Columbus in Ontario to provide the resources needed to sustain the Coats for Kids program.

Remember, investing in our children each year transforms your donations into priceless smiles as children can now play outside with their friends, attend school, and become future agents of change, contributing to a more civil society, even during the winter months.