Over 500 winter jackets donated for Rock 102’s Coats for Kids

Temperatures are beginning to drop in Saskatoon and that means many are bringing out their winter jackets, but some families don’t have that luxury.

Rock 102’s Coats for Kids initiative looks to ease that pain for families in need. All items collected and funds raised will be donated to Care & Share Saskatoon.

In 2024, over 500 jackets were donated.

Miranda Braithwaite donated some of her toddlers’ old jackets.

“I think it’s important that everybody stays warm,” said Braithwaite. “Hopefully it helps another family that can’t afford coats.”

Braithwaite said seeing all the support that the community is showing is very heartwarming.

“I think it’s great, I think we should do this more often,” said Braithwaite.

“There are lots of families struggling right now and I just think it’s really great that the community comes together to help everybody.”

Ashley Turner received a little help from her daughter’s cheerleading team before donating her winter wear.

“This was an idea another mom had on the team,” said Turner. “All the girls really got behind it, I was very impressed by the amount of clothes we were able to get.”

Turner said the campaign was a great cause and she’s glad she could help out.

“We’re facing a lot of challenges in our city, maybe people that need warm coats,” said Turner.

“It’s going to be getting to minus 40 here pretty soon, so (we thought) let’s get those kids ready for winter.”

Turner said she’s really proud of the families who got involved to help out.

“People are very generous,” said Turner. “It fills me with a lot of pride that everyone’s so generous.”

Mark Loshack (“Shack”), Rock 102 on-air personality and CKOM Morning Show Host, said the program has continued to grow over the years.

“We’ve donated thousands and thousands and thousands of coats and winter wear every year,” said Shack, adding he thought the drive was one of the most important initiatives in the city.

“If you were a kid and you didn’t have a winter coat or winter boots, in the middle of a minus 40 day would you go to school?” he asked.

“You wouldn’t go to school. You’d stay home where it’s nice and warm and watch TV. Well, we don’t want that. We want kids to go to school and learn.”

As for seeing the community band together, Shack said it’s one of the coolest things ever.

“You see a little kid who has outgrown his or her coat, and to see that kid donating to another kid, that’s a real heart-warmer,” he said.

Other items like winter boots, gloves, scarves and toques were also donated in the drive.

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