Charity drive looks for coats for refugees entering Calgary
With dozens of refugees about to be branded brand new Calgarians, one charity event is hoping to make sure there ready for one particular aspect of their new home – winter.
Hosted in conjunction by ICNA Relief Canada, the Muslim Council of Calgary, and Camp Ahmed Abba, the Winter Coat Drive looks to outfit Syrian refugees coming to make their home in Calgary with proper winter coats to brave the Albertan winters. New and used winter coats will be accepted, and will go to families in need.
“There are lots of Syrian refugees that have already arrived in Calgary, so we’re just doing this coat drive for them,” Betty Ismail of ICNA Relief Canada told Calgary Buzz.
The coats will be donated through the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, an organization that looks to smooth to transition for immigrants coming to the city with services and support.
“If we don’t support them who else will?” says Ismail. “If we were in their place, or had gone through this much trouble in life, and when were to come and settle in a place where we have nothing, who else do we reach out to but our other fellow humans? We, as human beings want to contribute whatever we can in terms of lessening their trauma.”
Since the families need high quality coats, there are a few guidelines as to what can be dropped off and what can’t.
The drive will accept:
- Brand new coast, with tags intact
- Used coats, dry-cleaned with the cleaner’s tag intact
- Used coast – not clears with a $5 cleaning charge per coat
- Cash donations for coat purchases
Winter Coat Drive
When: Saturday, January 2
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Calgary Islamic School – 225 28 Street East, Calgary