Today is Day 3 of the winter coat distribution.
My elbows hurt. They hurt because I have been hanging and re-hanging and re-hanging many coats in the past 72 hours… by Friday, it is possible that I won't be able to lift my arms - but, it is all for a very good reason. This morning we had another 200 people come through to pick up coats (hats, mitts, scarves, boots, sweaters etc). I have brought out every coat that was donated to hang in the gym (where we are giving the coats out)… there will be the odd coat donated from now until Friday, but the bulk that is left is out hanging for people to go through. The total now stands (with an hour and a half left of today) 1000 families coming to pick up coats. I can't believe it - last year, we held the distribution on one Saturday - about 325 families came. We have given out far more coats this year, to far more people, by changing the distribution to 5 days during the week, and not on Saturday… It makes me incredibly happy to be able to give out that many coats and winter clothing. The average family has had 4 children - which means roughly 4,000 coats in 3 days alone have gone out through our doors. 4,000 children will be warm this winter. It's very beautiful.
In going through the donations - there were many hand knit sweaters, hats and mittens, made by groups of women, some on their own, others in small groups of friends, for children they would never know, or get to meet. That to me is also something very beautiful. A gift that reaches out further than anyone could possibly measure. I am proud of them, these women, who I too, will never get to know directly - most of the donations have come anonymously… but their stories, I think are important to share. One woman, as I have mentioned before elsewhere, is in her late 80's, blind, knit 200 wool hats for the kids. Another woman, also in her late 80's made 150 pairs of mittens, and has been knitting for the Koats for Kids program for years now. Both women have already started to knit for next year. Other stories that need to be recognize include two high schools: Medway and St. Thomas Aquinas. Both schools held coat drives within their schools, and the students collected hundreds of coats to give way to those who need them. I am so impressed with these students - showing such leadership and concern for the community they live in. Not last and definitely not least - the volunteers and staff who have given their time this week to help people find the coats that they needed - taking the time to talk with the people coming in, entertaining the children while their parents searched through the long line of coats and tables of other clothes… they are wonderful as well. A program like this cannot run without the help of all these special and gifted people. I am very honoured to be a part of this, more than I could possibly express in words.
This week so far, has been a lovely and humbling experience. It is a brilliant opportunity for the community to get to know each other better… it has also been a good opportunity for me personally, to see what good and positive things can happen in a large community - people helping people in very real and concrete ways. Even though I may not be able to lift my arms by the end of the week, it's ok. I can't wipe the deep smile off my face either ;-)
la
In going through the donations - there were many hand knit sweaters, hats and mittens, made by groups of women, some on their own, others in small groups of friends, for children they would never know, or get to meet. That to me is also something very beautiful. A gift that reaches out further than anyone could possibly measure. I am proud of them, these women, who I too, will never get to know directly - most of the donations have come anonymously… but their stories, I think are important to share. One woman, as I have mentioned before elsewhere, is in her late 80's, blind, knit 200 wool hats for the kids. Another woman, also in her late 80's made 150 pairs of mittens, and has been knitting for the Koats for Kids program for years now. Both women have already started to knit for next year. 
