COLD LAKE - The Cozy Kids initiative, hosted by Stepping Stones Crisis Society and Orbiting Trends in Cold Lake, is making sure that children in the community stay warm during the winter months.
From Oct. 2 to 28, Orbiting Trends was accepting donations of winter items for children and teens, including coats, gloves, winter hats, and earmuffs. Even after the deadline, the community is encouraged to donate, as Stepping Stones Crisis Society will continue accepting winter clothing to meet ongoing needs.
“We spend a couple of weeks collecting coats and then we distribute them throughout the month of November, basically as long as the supply lasts,” said April Simard, Community Engagement and Events Coordinator at Stepping Stones.
The initiative ensures that any child or teen in need can access winter coats at no cost.
“If you do need a coat, you can just reach out to Orbiting Trends directly and they can hook up with whatever they need,” Simard added.
In addition to coats, the Cozy Kids initiative also collects and distributes winter accessories like mittens, scarves, and even hoodies. To ensure the donations are usable, Orbiting Trends asks that all donated items be clean, free of rips, and have functioning zippers and buttons.
“We just ask that they're clean. . . and that they're free of rips, and that the zippers and everything work - but gently used, new. And then winter accessories, coats, or like mittens and scarves too,” Simard explained.
Last year, the Cozy Kids initiative distributed over 100 coats, and they aim to meet or exceed that number this year, highlighting the ongoing need for winter clothing in the community.
Despite the growing demand, the community has rallied around the cause, ensuring a steady flow of donations.
Melissa Francis, CEO of Stepping Stones Crisis Society, emphasized the broader mission behind Cozy Kids.
“Our mission is also to help the community where we see a need, and that's really where . . . Cozy Kids comes in."
Both Simard and Francis see the initiative as part of the broader effort of the crisis society to support the Cold Lake community.
As Stepping Stones gets ready to move into a new, larger building in 2025, staff members plan to expand initiatives like Cozy Kids.
“I think as we get into the building and we have greater capacity and greater space, because we're going into 50,000 square feet, I think what we're looking to do is going to continue to change,” said Simard. “We will have the space and the community support to continue to expand these initiatives and these programs.”
Coat distribution begins on Nov. 1. For those still wishing to contribute donations of clean, gently used winter wear, they can still be dropped off at Orbiting Trends beyond the Oct. 28 deadline. Simard assured the community, “We are always open to it, so if anyone does have donations after the fact and they come to the door and say this is for Cozy Kids, we'll make sure we earmark those for the kids that are in need.”
