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2022 GEAR UP FOR OUTDOORS 16th ANNUAL SPREAD THE WARMTH CONTACTLESS WINTER COAT DRIVE

Posted on November 06 2023

2022 GEAR UP FOR OUTDOORS 16th ANNUAL SPREAD THE WARMTH CONTACTLESS WINTER COAT DRIVE

Thank You Thunder Bay...

"1260"

PRECIOUS GIFTS COLLECTED & DONATED BY YOU... 
Friday December 16/2022

This year's 16th Annual Gear Up For Outdoors Spread the Warmth Contactless Winter Coat Drive for 2022 finished off in a flurry just like the weather.

Thanks to Cal and his Staff 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 16 years Gear Up For Outdoors has 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"

"THANK YOU AWE"
Alstom Women of Excellence
Krystal K & Nancy U collected over 250 Jackets & Coats
from the employees of ALSTOM Thunder Bay!

   

Pastor Sha & Pastor Melody of Grace Place 
In receipt of the last donated Jackets on behalf of 
Grace Place & Shelter House.

Although the Coat Drive is officially over the need is always paramount too keep those less fortunate warm and dry during the winter months.  If anyone still has coats or jackets we will still collect them on behalf of our recipients; Grace Place, Shelter House and Precious Bundles.

2022 Winners of the [6] $100.00 Keg Gift Cards
Courtesy of Justin Airhart - Operations Director/Franchisee - The Keg

Richard Ibbitson & the Staff - GM - The Keg

Diane Borejsza
Heather McLeod
Judy Stewart
Lei Hartviksen
Hanna Stewart
Heather Hyslop

                         

                                  Chronicle Journal Front Page Article - 11/09/22

 

Going "CONTACTLESS" ensures a more efficient collection process, mitigates risks & provides protocol that is meaningful while keeping everyone's safety top of mind.

The days are getting shorter and colder, let’s get ready to "Spread the Warmth" 

This Year's 2022 Farmers Almanac & Weather Predicters are calling for an extremely bitter cold winter and lots of snow.

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...  Up to the Challenge to Spread the Warmth as Thunder Bay is the City with the Giant Heart!

                        

                                 2022 Contactless Winter Coat Drive Poster

PRESS RELEASE / MEDIA DAY - Monday October 3/2022

      "WINTER COAT DRIVE CONTINUES TO SPREAD THE WARMTH"

 

COVID-19 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
  • Drop off at Gear Up ~ Right Side Entrance Door
  • Laundry Bin Drop Off Site
  • Enter in store, a draw for 1 of [6] $100.00 Keg Gift Cards.
  • Jackets are held in quarantine in separate rolling laundry bins
  • Separated for Children, Women & Men in Gear Up's back warehouse
  • Weekly Pick-Up by Shelter House S.O.S. Van for distribution. 
         

WHO YOU ARE SUPPORTING:

This year if you are cleaning your closet and come across a clean warm sleeping bag...  the need is dire for providing warmth to those on the street... The SOS Van will be providing them in their nightly visitations.

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.  

  • 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 especially this year!
    Shelter House will have a Donation Box & Private Envelopes located at Gear Up's Front Counter for any Monetary Donations 
    Contact: Cal Rankin E.D. Shelterhouse

  • 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: 

    • Media Release - Monday October 3rd: 11:00am at Shelterhouse  
    • Coat Drive Dates: Monday October 3rd thru to Friday December 16th, 2022
    • Draw Date: Monday December 19th, 2022 all winners will be notified.
    • Drop Off Location: Gear Up For Outdoors Ltd. 894 Alloy Place [Off of Central Avenue]

    ABOUT THE COAT DRIVE: 

    Thank you Thunder Bay for supporting our 16th Anniversary Season & our community partnership between Gear Up For Outdoors, Shelter House, Grace Place, Precious Bundles, and The Keg Steakhouse & Bar.

    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 & Bar, TBaytel as well as our Media Partners; Dougall Media, The Walleye, Shout Media and the Chronicle Journal.

    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;
    Grant Thornton, RBC, Canada BrokerLink, Push Fitness, Maintain Air/Porter and Sleeping Giant Brewery.

    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 2022 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. 

    Supreme Cleaners & Lakehead Cleaners have been gracious in providing Clean Sorting Laundry Bins. Thanks so very much Pinot.

    If any business would like a Poster for their business to remind employees about the 2022 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 19th. Just in time for Christmas Gift Giving.
    • This Year's 2022 Winners were announced on Monday.
    • Diane Borejsza, Heather McLeod, Judy Stewart, Lei Hartviksen, Hanna Stewart, Heather Hyslop

    One of 6 $100.00 Gift Cards
    from Justin of the Keg Steakhouse & Bar - Thunder Bay

    The 2022 Gear Up For Outdoors Event Team

    2021 Spread the Warmth Campaign News