Nine years ago, a like minded group of enthusiastic mums & a dad got together to start a Winter coat collection drive called OFF YOUR BACK. The idea was that no money would ever change hands, it would be pure & simple with no collateral & only an email to do the drive of directing people to take their pre-loved coats to the Salvation Army.
There are no long committee meetings or sponsor-led budgets. An email goes out, people respond by leaving their coats in organisers front yards or at one of the drop off spots – they love knowing their much-loved items are going on to another life with people who really need them.
The drive now includes school collections, company collections and individual volunteers who collect, drive to collection spots and help with the running of the program annually.
It’s winter, it’s cold. Get involved. It’s easy.
Start your own drive, or donate to an existing drop off.
Head to their website here for more info and drop off locations, and follow on Facebook to stay in the loop.
If you’ve bought a new coat this winter, give your old one to someone who’s wellbeing could very well depend on it.