As winter weather approaches, members of the Knights of Columbus recently gathered in Tilbury to collect coats for those in need.
More than 200 boxes, each containing 12 newly purchased winter coats, were delivered for local councils, with 34 of those boxes bound for the Chatham-Kent community.
According to the organization, the need for coats in Chatham-Kent continues to grow every year.
"The need in the local community is increasing annually," a representative of the Knights of Columbus told CK News Today. "Due to economic uncertainty, as well as the welcoming of new immigrants and refugees to the area, the reliance on assistance programs has never declined."
The Knights of Columbus have been participating in the Coats for Kids program since 2009, intending to address the needs of school-aged children.
"Each year, we see firsthand how something that appears so simple can make a big difference in the life of a young child," said David Gelinas, State Deputy for the Knights of Columbus in Ontario. "Thanks to the generosity of our brother Knights across Canada, we're proud to continue ensuring that no child has to face the coldest months of the year without a warm coat."
Over the years, that intention has changed and grown to include assisting families, people experiencing homelessness, and veterans.
Since the program began, more than 1.8 million coats have been given out across Canada and the United States. In 2024 alone, Canadian Knights donated more than 40,000 coats, with 18,000 of those going to people in Ontario.
The Knights of Columbus is the only organization that provides newly purchased coats to toddlers, children, teens, and adults. The money to buy those coats is collected through local fundraisers, with the group ensuring that the coats purchased go into those same communities.
