Posted on September 11 2024
11/11/2024:
Wendy Cameron picked up for Precious Bundles today; she is treasurer, one of the directors and a volunteer with Precious Bundles. Gear Up For Outdoors partnered with Precious Bundles from the very start in 2006 with Wendy, Allyson & Emily.
Gareth Pritchard [Gear Up For Outdoors] & Wendy Cameron [Precious Bundles] picking up Coats, Jackets & boots for their amazing organization. Thank You Thunder Bay!
11/11/2024:
As we remember all those who have gone before us... Less We Forget!
The first Month of our Campaign was a huge success; we have achieved numbers that surely show your support for those less fortunate in our Community. As of November 11/2024 we have Spread the Warmth with over 1174 Gifts on behalf of
Shelter House, Grace Place & Precious Bundles. Thank You Thunder Bay!
A drop off of Sleeping Bags, Jackets & Coats at Shelter House
The days and nights are colder and the need is real! Thanks Thunder Bay...
10/28/2024:
Even with the unseasonably warm weather we are experiencing to-date we have collected well over 700 Gifts since the launch of this years campaign started on October 1/2024... A phenomenal start to this year's Campaign - Thank You!
10/21/2024:
Wow... over 550 gifts have been collected over the past 3 weeks an incredible total... Thank you Thunder Bay for your support... your kindness is overwhelming!
10/09/2024:
Thank you Thunder Bay we collected over 150+ jackets in the first 5 days of this year's Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive... what an amazing start!
Brashanth & Emily of Shelter House & Jon of Gear Up
Loading up the Shelter House Van.
10/03/2024:
We would like to thank Jamie - Parts Counter Associate from North Country Cycle & Sports for Donating 6 Polaris Snowmobile Jackets & Pants .They will be very much appreciated when the cold temps hit us this fall. Thanks so much Jamie
Our first Bags of Coats on the 1st day of the campaign donated from North Country Cycle & Sports.
10/01/2024:
Today we launched the 18th Annual Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive in support of Shelter House, Grace Place and Precious Bundles. The event was held with the Thanks of Brendan & Champagne at the Shelter House Facility on George Street. We so appreciate the support of our community partners who put up posters to help Spread the Message. This Year's event runs from October 1/2024 - December 20/2024. Thank You.
From Left to Right:
Brendan Carlin - ED Shelter House
Unable to Attend:
Justin Airhart - Owner The Keg Thunder Bay
HOW WE STARTED:
Gear Up For Outdoors & their staff had an idea to help those in our community who needed to stay warm whatever the reason! We met with The Keg & Dougall Media to help facilitate this need and after 18 years we have collected & donated in excess of 20,500 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 2024 Farmers Almanac & Weather Predicters are calling for a winter with lots of snow & cold! (A far cry different from what they predicted last winter!)
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 challenging and I’m sure our community will as they have done over the past 17 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: Brendan Carlin - E.D. Shelter House
Champagne Thomson - Development Manager 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: Tuesday October 1st -> Friday December 20th 2024.
- Media Release - Tuesday October 1 - Shelter House 10:30am.
- Draw Date: Monday December 23rd, 2024 all winners will be notified.
ABOUT THE COAT DRIVE:
Thank you Thunder Bay for supporting our 18th 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.
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. Sleeping Giant Brewery & Dawson Trails! This year over 200+ 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 2024 Spread the Warmth Winter Coat Drive Campaign.
The Staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center TBRHSC are so deserving.
Mitchel Hatton the Administrative Assistant for NOSH – North of Superior Healthcare Group ensures posters get into their facilities along the North Shore! (Marathon, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, Terrace Bay, Schreiber, Pawgwasheeng Pays Play, Rossport).
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 2024 Campaign please be sure to reach out to Jon. [jon@gear-up.com].
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 23rd/2024; 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 2024 Gear Up For Outdoors Staff & Event Team.
Past Campaigns!
2023 Spread the Warmth Campaign News