Posted on December 20 2023
Thank You Thunder Bay...
"1564"
PRECIOUS GIFTS COLLECTED & DONATED BY YOU...
Monday December 18/2023
Thank you Thunder Bay!!
This year was definitely incredible with the amount of coats and jackets that have been collected! Our clients simply could not survive the elements without this coat drive and as the cold weather approaches they will be prepared. We are excited to continue the buzz for a good cause and can’t wait to walk in the Coldest Night of the Year!! Because it really is cold out there!!
Thank you Gear Up For Outdoors!!!
Melody Macsemchuk
Grace Place
This year's 17th Annual Gear Up For Outdoors Spread the Warmth Contactless Winter Coat Drive far exceeded our expectations for 2023.
Thanks to Michelle Morgan at Shelter House, Pastor Melody & Pastor Sha of Grace Place and Allyson & Emily of Precious Bundles for coordinating with our staff each and every year.
After 17 years Gear Up For Outdoors has collected & donated in excess of 20,500 precious gifts for those less fortunate!
This year's campaign surpassed last year's total by over 19.4% a truly incredible result.
The support from everyone in our community is a testament to our city's generosity! We truly are a city with a "GIANT HEART"
Mason Packing Up the last of this year's Jackets
MONDAY DECEMBER 18/2023:
The 6 winners of this year's 17th Annual Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive have all been called and notified of their $100.00 Gift Card courtesy of Justin and his amazing staff at the Keg Steakhouse.
- K. Bemben
- W. Harris
- S. Milks
- A. Tessier
- D. Ventrudo
- D. Karpowich
Thank you to everyone who donated to the Gear Up For Outdoors 17th Annual Contactless Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive.
1564 Gifts were collected on behalf of Shelter House, Grace Place & Precious Bundles. Thank You Thunder Bay your generosity is so truly appreciated..
FRIDAY OCTOBER 13/2023:
A huge "Thank You" to Shannon B at Tbaytel for their continued support of this year's 17th Annual Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive. Tbaytel contributed over 200 pair of gloves to go with every jacket donated...
Thank you Thunder Bay from some of your recipients at Grace Place!
TUESDAY OCTOBER 2/2023:
- Media Press Release at Gear Up For Outdoors Parking Lot
- An amazing contribution on our first day of over 150 coats collected & distributed to our community partners; Shelter House, Grace Place & Precious Bundles.
- All our Media Partners were on hand; Dougall Media, Chronicle Journal, CBC & The Walleye were on hand.
TBT News - Press Release - October 3/2023
.HOW WE STARTED:
17 years ago Gear Up For Outdoors & their staff had an idea to help those in our community who needed to stay warm whatever the reason! We have collected & donated in excess of 19,000 precious gifts for those less fortunate! The support from everyone in our community is a testament to our city's generosity! We truly are a city with a "GIANT HEART"
The 2023 Farmers Almanac & Weather Predicters are calling for a winter with lots of snow!
The days are getting shorter & colder, let’s get ready to "Spread the Warmth"
The Need for this community for cold weather jackets & coats during these next few months will be enormous and I’m sure our community will as they have done over the past 16 years... Be Up to the Challenge to Spread the Warmth.
We are going "CONTACTLESS" again this year as it ensures a more efficient collection process, mitigates risks & provides protocol that is meaningful while keeping everyone's safety top of mind.
If you are cleaning your closet & come across a clean warm sleeping bag!
The need is dire for providing warmth to those on the street or encampments...
If you want to donate Cash and or pick up a Shelter House Donation Envelope where you can donate on-line these are both available and viable options to help support Shelter House.
Be a a part of something great this winter and bring in any of your Clean Winter Jackets/Coats and they will be donated to our friends at Precious Bundles, The Shelter House & Grace Place.
SAFETY PROTOCOL:
- All Coats & Jackets must be washed & clean
- Store them in an individual clear plastic bag - 1 Jacket per bag
- Gender & Size marked on each bag
- Please Drop off at Gear Up ~ Right Side Entrance Door
- Drop into the Laundry Bin Drop Off Site [Courtesy of Lakehead Cleaners]
- Separated for Children, Women & Men
- Weekly Pick-Up by Shelter House for distribution.
- Enter in store, a draw for 1 of [6] $100.00 Keg Gift Cards.
- Need a New Winter Jacket be sure to ask for a 10% Discount in-store.
WHO YOU ARE SUPPORTING:
-
Precious Bundles [Infants to age 16] > The Need is always dire for our younger population!
Contact: Emily Shandruk & Allyson Veneziano
-
Shelter House [Adult Men/Women] > Funding is Critical & Essential
Shelter House will have a Donation Box & Private Envelopes located at Gear Up's Front Counter for any Monetary Donations
Contact: Michelle Morgan - Interim E.D. Shelter House
-
Grace Place [Collection Depot] > Distribution Center for all of the jackets & coats collected on behalf of Shelter House Thunder Bay.
Contact: Pastor Sha & Melody Macsemchuk
DATES:
- Coat Drive Dates: Monday October 2nd -> Friday December 15th 2023.
- Media Release - Tuesday October 3rd: 11:00am at Gear Up Parking Lot
- Draw Date: Monday December 18th, 2023 all winners will be notified.
- Drop Off Location: Gear Up For Outdoors Ltd. 894 Alloy Place [Off of Central Avenue]
October 3/2023 - Media Launch Day
ABOUT THE COAT DRIVE:
Thank you Thunder Bay for supporting our 17th Anniversary Season & our community partnership between Gear Up For Outdoors, Shelter House, Grace Place, Precious Bundles, and The Keg Steakhouse.
So many in our community are blessed by the donations of your winter coats. There is never trouble finding a warm fit for those in need. The generosity of our community & outlying areas has always left a lasting impression on all those who benefit from your generous donations.
This Event would not be complete without mentioning our partners; The Keg Steakhouse, TBaytel as well as our Media Partners; Dougall Media, The Walleye, Shout Media, CBC and the Chronicle Journal. TBaytel has graciously provided a pair of gloves to be donated with every jacket donated while supplies last!
Numerous businesses within our community encourage their employees, friends and families to "Spread the Warmth" and give generously for those in need;
A Special thanks for the following businesses and their employees; TBRHSC, Lakehead University, Grant Thornton, RBC, Canada BrokerLink, Push Fitness, Maintair, Goods & Co. and Sleeping Giant Brewery. This year over 150+ Business organizations have requested posters to put up in their place of work. Thank You so much for Spreading the Warmth!
With the cold weather upon us we thank the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce for their invaluable network of business owners for getting the word out to their employees, friends and families for the 2023 Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive Campaign.
The Staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center TBRHSC are so deserving.
The North of Superior Health Group "NOSH" [Terrace Bay, Marathon & Schreiber Hospitals] collect donations along the North Shore communities and Courtesy Courier brings them to Thunder Bay.
Public School groups also help in collecting jackets & coats for this annual community event.
A special thanks to Lowery's Thunder Bay for the exposure of the Spread the Warmth Campaign on their digital signboard on Central Avenue.
Lakehead Cleaners have been so gracious in providing Clean Sorting Laundry Bins. Thanks so very much Pinot & Dino.
If any business would like a Poster for their business to remind employees about the 2023 Campaign please be sure to reach out to Jon.
FOR EVERY DONATION COLLECTED YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- A chance to win 1 of 6, $100.00 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Gift Certificates.
- Gear Up For Outdoors will give you a 10% Discount on the purchase price of a new winter jacket.
- Draw & Winners will be notified on Monday Dec 18th/2023; Just in time for Christmas Gift Giving.
One of 6 $100.00 Gift Cards
from Justin of the Keg Steakhouse & Bar - Thunder Bay
Thank you from our 2023 Gear Up For Outdoors Staff & Event Team.
Past Campaigns!