A growing community partnership in St. Thomas is celebrating another successful year of keeping local families warm.
Since expanding to St. Thomas in 2023, Goodwill Industries’ ClothingWorks Winter Coat Drive, delivered in partnership with the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, has quickly become an essential cold-weather support for residents facing financial challenges or arriving as newcomers.
This year’s results show just how quickly the need is rising.
ClothingWorks distributed 1,223 winter coats and accessories to 578 people, with volunteers and partner organizations working together to sort, assess, and match items with those who needed them most.
ClothingWorks Supervisor Carol McIntyre says the trend has been unmistakable.
“The lineups get longer and busier every year, and the demographics are changing. It’s not just individuals without housing, but entire families and newcomers struggling to afford winter clothing.”
The program’s reach extends even further thanks to the “Yarnies,” a volunteer group that knits hats, scarves, and mittens from repurposed yarn at Goodwill’s Edgar & Joe’s Café.
Any leftover items from the main drive are passed along to local shelters and agencies, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Residents and businesses in St. Thomas are encouraged to donate winter coats and accessories at their local Goodwill Donation Centre.
Written by: Kennedy Freeman
