Operation Warm Hearts, in its 20th anniversary, had an extremely successful year. We were set up in the Uxbridge Arena, where our community generously donated (right up to the day of the sale) a whopping 770 coats by various individuals, families and organizations. The majority of what was donated was mostly scarves, hats and mitts. Most of it was brand new or gently used.
We sold 330 coats in three hours. The community raised $1,010 for the Loaves & Fishes Food Bank.
In the last 20 years, Operation Warm Hearts has had 8,884 coats donated to the event and raised, to date, $11,180 to support the Loaves & Fishes Food Bank. Without the generous community support this would not be possible.
I would like to, at this time, thank the following volunteers for their unlimited support over the last 20 years, as without them we could not be successful in caring for others and keeping them warm.
Michele Lindsay, who started this cause, realized that there was a need to help others stay warm and got the ball rolling to make it happen. Chances Are has helped us since the beginning by sorting coats that were donated to our coat drive event. A HUGE thank you to Jason Andrews of Wash Worx Laundromat for his countless hours of cleaning all the donated coats that were dropped off, and he did that around his busy schedule. WE Uxbridge and their wonderful volunteers have been extremely helpful with helping get the donations brought over to the Arena, get everything set up and helping with transporting the remainder of items back for storage.
We also want to thank Cathy Christoff of the Rotary Club of Uxbridge (courtesy of Aurora Party Rentals) for the years of helping us by supplying the 10 coat racks. Without their support we would not be able to house the coats for the event.
Eileen Foot has donated her time over the many years by helping transport many loads of donations that were left over and take them to places that we can’t get to (including various shelters) in the Durham Region.
And finally, Viper Marketing, as they have donated numerous brand new coats over the years and it makes me feel warm inside that companies like them go to the lengths they do to support a great cause.
I would also like to thank Dan Pollard and his team at 105.5 HitsFM Uxbridge for taking the time to help promote our event and reach out to the community, and to Williamson Uxbridge for helping collect coats for our event.
We would like to thank Caitlin and Ian Vandenhurk, who have graciously stepped up to the plate to help take over and make sure Operation Warm Hearts keeps running and keeping our community warm for everyone. They too were extremely helpful this year by donating four extra racks to ensure that we had enough room to organize all the donated coats. They were on hand throughout the day and we couldn’t thank them enough.
To all the other people who helped, a BIG thank you. We appreciate your continued support of Operation Warm Hearts.
Next year’s coat sale will be Saturday November 7, 2020.
Maggie McCreath & Niko Pupella, Operation Warm Hearts
It’s Movember and time to take action on men’s health – prostate cancer in particular.
This is the most common cancer for men, and it is easily detectable and treated if you take action. Most men will get it at some time in their life. Recently you may have read that Rod Stewart and Elton John have opened up about having been diagnosed and treated for it.
As a prostate cancer survivor, I know that advances in treatment have increased survivor rates immensely due to donation-funded research. We are lucky that we have specialists that come to Uxbridge Cottage Hospital for consultation on this.
Look around your neighbourhood and at your own friends and family, and you will be surprised how many have been impacted by prostate cancer. I know that a least three of us on my street are among them.
Please help me change the face of men’s health by donating generously at: https://mobro.co/13741883
Mike Whiston, Uxbridge
We were in Uxbridge on Oct. 27 for your wizard festival (great time was had at it).
As my daughter and myself drove into town, the first thing we noticed were the banners showing all the fallen soldiers. We took time to read as many as we could. Great idea with Remembrance Day so close.
Keep up the great job. All towns should do this to remember all those who gave their lives while giving us our freedom.
Enjoyed the time we spent in Uxbridge.
Ruby Young (undisclosed location)