An initiative to keep Chatham-Kent residents warm this winter is being revived for another couple of weeks thanks to a local company.
People are being encouraged to donate coats to those in need through Operation Cover Up Heavy Up.
The Salvation Army's annual Operation Cover Up ran throughout the month of October, with donations collected until October 23. However, the owner of a local heating and cooling company was inspired to keep the initiative going while he was buying jackets for his own employees to keep them warm while working in the winter months.
"I was buying coats for everyone that works in the field for Postma Heating and Cooling...I read on the news that there's a homeless problem we have and there's a housing crisis in [Chatham-Kent] and all these other things," said Postma Heating and Cooling President Caleb Postma. "I thought 'well, I know there's guys and girls that work here that need coats. I bet there are other people that need coats.'"
"Our business is about keeping people warm and comfortable. We were going to make our donation and we thought, how can we do more? That’s when the idea came to us, why not up the ante and get everyone involved," said Postma Heating and Cooling President Caleb Postma.
To help encourage people to donate, Postma said that in exchange for every coat that is donated, individuals will receive a ballot to be entered to win a new furnace installed at no charge, anywhere in Chatham-Kent.
"It doesn't have to be the person who donated the coat," he said. "If you want to donate a coat on behalf of someone, if you know somebody that could use a new furnace, that's okay. If you don't know anyone that could use a new furnace but you want to donate a coat, that's also fine. We will donate a furnace on your behalf to someone who needs it."
Donations can be new or gently used coats of all sizes, for both children and adults.
Hundreds of winter clothing items are usually collected every year through the Operation Cover Up coat drive. Community Services Officer with The Salvation Army Chatham-Kent Ministries Stephen Holland said he expects the demand this year to be greater than ever.
"We all feel the bitter cold of winter but most of us have warm clothing. Yet in Chatham-Kent, there are men women and children who go about their day without even a warm winter coat," Holland said. "Last year we helped close to 800 people with winter coats, boots, hats, and gloves and we expect more will need help this year."
According to Postma, the Salvation Army was ecstatic about continuing the initiative and collecting even more coats for people in need this winter.
"They jumped at the chance immediately," he said. "It didn't matter that their schedule was finished they said 'oh, that sounds like a spectacular idea, we can take as many coats as you can give us.'"
Operation Cover Up Heavy Up kicks off on November 16 and runs until 3 p.m. on December 3.
Donations can be dropped off at Postma Heating and Cooling, located at 22132 Charing Cross Rd in Chatham near the Highway 401 overpass.