The Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Campaign is dedicated to serving low-income families in the Grande Prairie area.
Please click on a link below to learn more about a specific area of the campaign, or continue to scroll down the page to view all information:
About the Campaign
Donations
Store Location & Hours
Volunteer Opportunities
Media Inquiries
About the Campaign
The Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Campaign is a collaborative community effort involving the following businesses and organizations:
- Alberta Health Service
- Public Health Centre / Health Promotion
- Volunteer Resources
- City of Grande Prairie
- Community Social Development
- Community Members (non-organizational)
- Crouses Cleaners
- Epiphany Ideas Etc.
- Grande Prairie & District Catholic School Board
- Grande Prairie Public School District
- Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau Association
- NW Alberta Child & Family Services Authority Region 8
- Peace Wapiti School District
- Prairie Mall (Morguard Investments)
- Seniors Outreach / Meals on Wheels
The Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Campaign works to redistribute new or gently used winter coats and outer wear to families in the Grande Prairie area. All donations should be dropped off at Crouses Cleaners, located at 10007 - 98 Avenue, Grande Prairie from September 15 to October 15. Please visit their website for contact information and hours of operation.
We are able to accept the following items:
- Winter Coats & Snow Suits (Children, Youth, and Adult sizes)
- Snow pants
- Mitts
- Scarves
- Toques
As this program relies on volunteers, we are unable to repair any items. Please check to ensure that all zippers, buttons, and Velcro closures are in good working order, items are free from rips or tears, and remove all items from the pockets before donating. When debating whether you should donate an item, always ask yourself, "Would I want my child to wear this item?"
We are unable to accept:
- Boots
- Leather
- Suede
- Wool
- Non-winter items
- Damaged items
These items can be donated to your local thrift store or placed in your garbage for regular road side pick up.
Cash donations are accepted; however, we encourage you to purchase new items for distribution rather than donating cash to the campaign. Any monies received will go toward operational costs such as insurance and / or the purchase of winter outer wear.
The Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Store is located in Prairie Mall (11801 - 100 Street), Grande Prairie, Alberta. This year the store will be located across from the Lyric Theatre, in Unit #301, just inside the most northern entrance on the east side of the mall. View Prairie Mall Map
The store operates from October 1 - 31.
Store hours are Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., closed Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday.
Volunteers are the heart of the Merv Crouse Coats for Kids Campaign. Many volunteer opportunities exist - from committee, sorting, cleaning, store set up, store management, customer service, to store take down, this campaign is truly the result of the passion of volunteers!
What is your passion?
Committee Member: The committee is formed each spring, with the first meeting usually held in early May. If you are interested in becoming a committee member for the next campaign, please contact the GPVSB and we will let you know the date of the initial meeting.
Sorting: All coats are sorted into categories (children, youth, adult) and checked for any damage that may prevent them from being distributed at the store. Coats are bagged by category in order to streamline the cleaning and store set up. This takes place in the upper level of Crouses Cleaners during regular business hours. Teams of seven (7) or more volunteers is preferred as this is a big job. Volunteers should be able to stand, climb stairs, bend and lift objects. Additionally, all volunteers should dress in layers as the upstairs of Crouses Cleaners can get hot! Gloves and supplies are provided. Sorting Volunteer Schedule
Store Set Up: Items such as baskets, coat racks, hangers, tables, etc. are removed from storage and transported to the store. The store is cleaned and arranged using the items from storage. The clothes that have been delivered to the store site are hung according to category. Volunteers should have a form of transportation, able to stand and lift heavy objects, and be able to dedicate a large part of a day. Volunteers should dress in layers as this will require being both indoors and outside, and will get hot with cleaning and hanging coats.
Customer Service (aka "The Store"): Volunteers will assist clients to locate items within the store, replenish racks as needed, keep the store tidy, and track distribution of items in a binder. The store is located in Prairie Mall and is open during the month of October, Monday through Saturday. Store Volunteer Schedule
Store Take Down: Items such as baskets, coat racks, hangers, tables, etc. are removed from the store and transported to storage. The store is cleaned and remaining items are bagged for pick up by organizations to be redistributed to their clients. Volunteers should have a form of transportation, able to stand and lift heavy objects, and be able to dedicate a large part of a day. Volunteers should dress in layers as this will require being both indoors and outside.
Sorting Volunteer Schedule (7 - 10 people per shift, either morning or afternoon):
Monday, September 19
Monday, September 26
Monday, October 3
Tuesday, October 11
onday, October 17
Emergency sorts will be scheduled if needed. These are generally held over the lunch hour (12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.).
Store Volunteer Schedule(2 people per shift)
October 1 - 31, closed on Sundays and Thanksgiving Monday
9:30 a.m - 1:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday
1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Saturday
For Volunteer inquiries, please call the Grande Prairie Volunteer Services Bureau at 780.538.2727.
Please direct all media inquiries to our Volunteer Marketing Coordinator:
Michelle Dupont
Epiphany Ideas Etc.
Tel: 780.228.1211
Email: michelle@epiphanyideas.com