Fedir Solovey helps his son, Mykyta, try on his new coat while Bernie Lutes (standing left) and Karl Schoenberg of Saint Teresa Council Knights of Columbus look on. (submitted photo/VDICSS)

By Pete McIntyre

Coats for Kids

Program provides coats for new kids in Vernon

Oct 18, 2022 | 1:30 PM

A Vernon non-profit group is helping to make newcomers to the community feel more welcome and warm.

The Knights of Columbus have donated over 40 jackets for children to use this winter as part of their Coats for Kids program.

Immigrant families — which included some fleeing the war in Ukraine — came to Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society (VDICSS) on Oct. 15 to get their coats.

The society said when people arrive in Canada, they may not have everything they need to stay comfortable for the winter.

“Some of the newcomers we work with came to Canada with just one suitcase, nevermind being able to bring an extra season’s worth of clothes with them,” Anetha Kashuba, community connections coordinator for VDICSS said.

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Kashuba said with the temperature starting to drop, it’s as important as ever to extend a helping hand to neighbours.

“The community did just that by coming together to ensure that the newcomer children in Vernon will stay warm as they go to school, play outside, and do what kids do throughout the winter months,” Kashuba said.

VDICSS has welcomed over 150 Ukrainians since the war broke out in February, along with a steady stream of families from around the world who are participating in the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP) program.

Saint Teresa Council Knights of Columbus of Coldstream. (submitted photo/VDICSS)

The society is thanking the Saint Teresa Council Knights of Columbus of Coldstream for their continuing support for newcomer children to the North Okanagan.

The Knights of Columbus was established in 1882, and its mandate is to provide financial aid and assistance to the sick, disabled and needy members and their families.

For more information on VDICSS and its services, visit https://www.vdicss.org/

by Pete McIntyre

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