A local initiative is giving an opportunity for South West residents to give back to members in their local community who do it tough during the winter months.
Community support organisation AccordWest is holding its annual Coat-A-Thon drive, which asks people to donate coats, blankets and other warm apparel for people in need.
AccordWest chief executive officer Neil Hamilton said the drive was held to help people in need during the cold winter months.
“When you’re basically living day to day, sometimes barely having enough money to purchase food let alone pay your utilities, the reality of going out and buying clothing isn’t always an easy option,” he said.
Mr Hamilton said donating items is great to give back to the community but also environmentally friendly.
“What we are looking for is good warm jackets and coats, if people are able to donate blankets that’s fantastic but one thing we don’t get a lot of is children’s clothing, if anyone has children’s clothing they would be willing to donate that would be very much appreciated.
“It’s also a great way of getting rid of the clothes you don’t want in a very environmentally friendly way, so they’re not going to waste, they’re not going to a tip,” Mr Hamilton said.
Last year 6800 items were donated from the drive and distributed by volunteers to over 2250 families and individuals throughout the South West.
Coat-A-Thon volunteer Shona Campbell helped distribute items last year and said it was great to help people in her community.
“It’s a great thing to do and it helps out local communities, it’s lovely to see their faces light up when you hand them a coat,” she said.
In addition to providing coats and blankets, staff and volunteers will provide information on how to save energy in the home to reduce house hold costs.
Coat-a-thon items will be distributed from AccordWest’s Bunbury, Busselton and Manjimup offices, and outreach locations in Harvey and Collie.
To find a donation point near you, ring the Bunbury Centre on (08) 9729 9000 or the Busselton Centre on (08) 9752 2855 or for more information go to www.accordwest.com.au.
