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Winter clothing drive continues to provide warmth to community members
United Way KFL&A expands coat drive to collect clothing items for winter

Kingston, ON (October 14, 2021) – As temperatures drop and winter approaches, coats and warm clothing become a necessity. Many community members rely on donated items to help them keep warm and this year.  United Way KFL&A is hoping the community can help once again.

Last year, with pandemic restrictions, United Way KFL&A coordinated the annual community coat drive and workplaces and individuals stepped up, donating over 1,000 coats in just two weeks. This year, the United Way is continuing with the coat drive and expanding to include more winter clothing.

“Agencies are seeing an increase in need. This is an increase in people using services, as well as needing basic items like coats, boots, socks and warmer clothing,” explained Bhavana Varma, President and CEO, United Way KFL&A. “Over the past year, United Way KFL&A has had great success with community donation drives like the Backpack Program and Tampon Tuesday. Our network and volunteers are amazing at helping with donation drives to get these items to agencies and individuals.”

Workplaces and community members are asked to donate clean, new or gently used coats and boots (coats must be washable only; no leather or heavy wool) and new accessories including new hats, mitts, scarves and socks.

To make drop offs easy, United Way KFL&A has partnered with Kingston Frontenac Public Library branches as well as Lennox & Addington Library branches.  United Way KFL&A will be accepting donations at the office as well.

“Thank you to the libraries for this generous support and volunteering their space. After the drive, volunteers will sort and then items will be distributed to agencies throughout KFL&A,” added Varma. “None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing volunteers and partners and we hope that our always caring and compassionate community will step up once again in donating items.”

Items can be dropped off to collection bins from October 25 – November 5 at the following locations:

Kingston

  • United Way KFL&A Office, 417 Bagot Street (back entrance), Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4:30pm
  • Calvin Park Branch Library, 88 Wright Crescent, Mon-Thu 10: 00am to 6:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm
  • Central Branch Library, 130 Johnson Street, Mon-Thu 10: 00am to 6:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm
  • Isabel Turner Library, 935 Gardiners Road, Mon-Thu 10:00am to 6:00pm; Fri-Sat 9:00am to 5:00pm

Frontenac

  • Sydenham Branch Library, 4412 Wheatley Street, Mon 10:00am to 6:00pm; Tue& Thu 1:00pm to 8:00pm; Fri 10:00am to 5:00pm; Sat 10:00am to 2:00pm
  • Sharbot Lake Branch Library, 1037 Robert Street, Tue & Thu, 1:00pm to 5:00pm; 6:00pm to 8:00pm; Fri 2:00pm to 5:00pm; Sat 10:00am to 2:00pm

Lennox & Addington

  • Napanee Branch Library, 25 River Road, Mon – Thu 10:00am to 8:00pm; Fri – Sat 10:00am to 5:00pm
  • Amherstview Branch Library, 322 Amherst Drive, Mon – Thu, 10:00am to 8:00pm; Fri – Sat  10:00am to 5:00pm

For more information about this year’s Winter Clothing Drive visit  https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/winterclothingdrive

About United Way KFLA
United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with the community to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact.

Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A provides inspiring opportunities for people to get involved and support issues they care about through volunteering, giving and being advocates for people who are in vulnerable situations.

Stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and look for regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca

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Media Contact:
Mandy Pasch, Manager, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca

Winter Clothing Drive - october 25- November 5th

Workplaces and community members are asked to donate clean, new or gently used coats and boots (coats must be washable only; no leather or heavy wool) and new accessories including new hats, mitts, scarves and socks.

United Way KFL&A Announces Ambitious Campaign Goal

The United Way KFL&A will aim to raise a record $3,614,800 during this year’s fall fundraising campaign

Leadership Giving

Leadership donors have the power to change lives. They inspire others to give. With a donation of $1,200 or more, Leadership level donors are ready to drive change, willing to set a powerful example and become part of the solution to our community’s complex social issues. Our Leaders are passionate about leaving their mark by creating lasting change.

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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