Those needing a winter hat and gloves may be getting some assistance soon thanks to a local police officer.
Const. Nick Dupuis, the community services officer with the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment, is co-ordinating a winter hat and glove drive. It is being done in partnership with the Windsor Police COAST (Community Outreach and Support Team) program, and the Amherstburg Firefighters Association.
Dupuis said the drive is inspired by the Coats for Kids campaign, the latter of which sees its distribution start this Sunday at Encounter Church.
“That was our motivation for doing something as well,” said Dupuis.
Dupuis explained that he partnered with the COAST team and that program will help get donated winter hats and gloves to individuals or families that need them.
That program sees police officers paired with social workers and “they will follow up with people or families in crisis.”
The partners on the winter hat and glove drive are accepting donations up until Nov. 20. Donations can be dropped off at the Windsor Police Service – Amherstburg Detachment at 532 Sandwich St. S. or the Libro Centre at 3295 Meloche Road. There will also be a third box that will rotate locations, with that starting at Movati Athletic last week with its next stop being Rob & Tina’s No Frills.
“The significance of Nov. 20 is we’ll be doing Coffee with a Cop at Bucket List (Café and Roastery),” said Dupuis.
A box will be there that day as well where people can drop off their donations.
In addition to winter hats and gloves being distributed through the COAST program, there will be hats and gloves dropped off at local schools for children in need as well as places like the Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission and Amherstburg Community Services (ACS).
Dupuis added he plans on making this an annual event, though also hopes to gather donations at other times of years for whatever is needed at that time.
“I just think it’s great we’re all trying to help,” he said of similar programs in the area. “There are people in the community who need stuff and we need to support them. Amherstburg steps up when someone needs something. This town always engages when it comes to collections and drives. It shows how great our community is.”
Winter hat and glove drive to help those in need in the community
By Ron Giofu
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