It’s almost that time of year again.
As preparations start to trickle towards the holiday season, Comox Valley student Jade Hansen hopes to ease the load - or in this case, make it heavier - for those in need.
For the past few years, Hansen, a student at Mark R. Isfeld school, has organized her annual winter coat drive. This year, her goal is to raise more than 3,000 pounds of warm items including jackets, clothes, sweaters and toques of those in need in the Valley.
“Last year, we had 2,200 pounds of items,” explained Hansen who is putting a challenge out to all dance studios in the Valley and the Comox Valley Minor Hockey league to donate as much as they can.
Six years ago, Hansen knew she had to do something for those less fortunate following a trip to Vancouver with her family, and seeing “many homeless people who looked cold, and I wanted to help.”
In her first year, she collected 700 pounds worth of clothing. Following the help of the community, she’s officially changed the name to ‘Jade’s Coat Drive,’ and said many people come together to help make the drive and distribution of items possible.
“The Cumberland (Regional Laundry) will wash all of the items, and then they go on the back of a Salvation Army truck to get distributed. They have all been really supportive.”
Staff time is donated to launder the items.
Jade’s Coat Drive is set for Nov. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Courtenay Remax at 2230 Cliffe Avenue.
Items can also be dropped off in advance at the Spirits of the West Coast Native Art Gallery on 2926 Back Road, and a bin will also be available for donations during the Central Island Studio Tour & Art Sale Nov. 25 to 27 at Ta’s Beads & Knits (#39).