SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - With the onset of winter just around the corner the Yellowknife YWCA, along with some local businesses, are making sure no one goes without a warm coat during the chilly months.

Julie Green, director of community relations for the Yellowknife branch, has been busy recently as she is preparing for the organization's Coats for Kids campaign, now in its seventh year.

"The inspiration for the program is that winter clothing is obviously essential in Yellowknife, and it's fairly expensive to acquire. In the case of children, they tend to outgrow the clothing without wearing it out," said Green.

"So, the point of the program is to make winter clothing that is still in good condition available, first and foremost, to children but we take winter clothing for all age groups and sizes.

"Basically, it's a recycling program."

Last year, the campaign distributed all of the approximately 1,000 coats collected. Green said the program is designed to help low and fixed income families that otherwise might not be able to afford winter clothing.

"If you're a single mother on income support, it's going to be very difficult to find a couple of hundred dollars for a jacket, snow pants and boots for you're children. So, I think people that are on a fixed income look forward to having this program sort of extend their budget," she said.

The campaign continues until Oct. 15.

Winter coats that are still in good condition can be dropped off at the Yellowknife Multiplex and the YWCA administration office located on 54 Avenue. Besides coats, the YWCA is also welcoming donations of other winter items such as hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, snow pants and boots. Those in need of any of these items can pick them up in the lower level of Centre Square Mall near the lotto booth Oct. 8, and from Oct. 14 to 15.

Four local stores are also taking part and are acting as drop-off points, including Mark's Work Wearhouse, Overlander Sports, For Women Only and Weaver and Devore. Those dropping off clothing get a 10 per cent discount on items in the stores.

Vicki Tompkins, president of the YWCA board and owner of For Women Only, is offering the discount on Oct. 9 only.

"People can drop off their coats with at least one more winter in it, and they get 10 per cent off any purchase they make that day," she said. This is the third year her store has been involved in the program.

For Weaver and Devore, this is the second year it has participated in the program. It will be offering the discount mainly for coats over the entire two weeks.

"It's a nice way to see coats get recycled and get passed down to persons who are in need" said Ken Weaver, who co-owns the store.

"There's a lot of needy people out there that probably can't afford a coat, so we're just trying to do our small piece."

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