Warm the heart: Rock 102 donates 1,500 coats to kids in need

Rock 102 and Care and Share celebrated another successful Coats for Kids drive Thursday, providing hundreds of children with warm winter gear.

The annual campaign collected more than 1,500 winter coats and 2,000 toques, scarves and mitts for school kids in need this year.

Rock 102 morning show hosts Derek Watson and Whitney Graves made the announcement at St. Mary’s Wellness and Education Centre along with school officials Thursday morning.

“Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces, on the community organizers’ faces, it’s that feeling of knowing that you’re giving,” Watson said. “It’s a great feeling.”

The Rock 102 Coats for Kids campaign distributes winter clothing in the gym at St. Mary’s Wellness and Education Centre on Nov. 16, 2017. (Bryn Levy/650 CKOM)

Winter gear was distributed to representatives from inner city and community schools, where the items will be passed along to kids without proper clothing for the cold in Saskatoon.

Shelly Fedrau, a teacher at W.P. Bate Community School, said the coats are crucial for many children.

“It’s such a relief sometimes,” she said. “You know (the kids and parents) are so grateful.”

She noted before a coat is given to a student, teachers will have conversations with parents about their needs.

“Parents do try, and they will get them whatever they can,” she said.

Fedrau said most teachers already have a list of students in need and the sizes they require. Classrooms may also keep a few coats as extras for situations when a child isn’t properly dressed for their activities.

“They might show up at school one day and we’re doing cross-country skiing, and they need some extra layers,” she said.

She added many parents are so grateful for the program, they often donate winter clothes their children have grown out of in return.

“They’ll want to share back, and it’s wonderful,” Fedrau said.

The coats were collected at malls across Saskatoon, with other collection points at St. Matthew School, Canalta Martensville and Crestline.

Warman Ultimate Cheerleading also assisted in the drive.