How an East Hants non-profit group keeps residents bundled up for winter

Catherine Miller, a resident of East Hants, recognized a pressing need in her community when her granddaughters’ teachers reached out to request winter coats for some students. This simple request sparked the creation of the Community Offering Assistance Together Association, also known as COAT. The primary goal of COAT is to provide winter clothing for those in need throughout the municipality.

Reflecting on the organization’s humble beginnings, Miller shared, “It wasn’t really ever a planned thing. Every year, word got out and it grew a little bit more and it grew a little bit more. I did it out of our basement in the house for quite a while. It’s way, way beyond that now.” Over the years, hundreds of generous residents of East Hants have donated winter coats, snow pants, hats, and mittens at various locations such as food banks and community centers.

Since September, COAT has collected over 700 donated clothing items and distributed them to individuals and families in need across the municipality. One of the highlights of COAT’s efforts is the annual Big Give event held at the Nova Centre in Elmsdale. During this event, community members can freely select winter clothing items for themselves and their loved ones.

Any remaining items from the giveaway are then donated to local food banks and charitable organizations. Miller emphasized that the work of COAT helps alleviate some of the financial pressures faced by households due to rising costs. “If you can get a coat that you need that you don’t have to go out and pay $100 for, that’s $100 more groceries you can buy or $100 more you have to put towards a child’s hockey or dance,” she explained.

In addition to providing essential winter clothing, COAT’s efforts also contribute to sustainability by keeping second-hand clothes out of landfills. The Nova Centre, a former school in Elmsdale, has been a key location for the Big Give event for the past four years. Norma MacIntyre, the organization’s secretary, highlighted the importance of having a dedicated space to organize and display the donated clothing items for community members to choose from.

Despite facing some logistical challenges this year due to sharing the facility with Elections Nova Scotia, COAT managed to distribute over 150 winter coats and clothing items to those in need. Miller expressed her gratitude for the community’s support and emphasized the impact that small acts of kindness can have. “So much can be done with so little,” she remarked.