Over 1,500 Donations Made For Peterborough County's 'Blankets For People' Campaign

The 2024 ‘Blankets for People’ campaign by Peterborough County-City Paramedics (PCCP) and Peterborough County yielded over 1,500 donations for those in need, announced on Monday.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) KERRI KIGHTLEY, FOURCAST; CRAIG JONES, PETERBOROUGH COUNTY CITY PARAMEDICS COMMANDER OF OPERATIONS AND BRUCE THOMPSON, WINDSOR’S DRYCLEANInG CENTRE CO-OWNER WRAPPED IN A BLANKET TO KICK OFF THE INAUGURAL ‘BLANKETS FOR PEOPLE’ CAMPAIGN FROM LAST YEAR. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

Donors were asked to give blankets and sleeping bags to those in need during winter. They were dropped off at campaign partners One City Peterborough, Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre and various locations throughout the City of Peterborough.

The eight participating townships hosting 'pop-up' drop-off and pick-up locations were new to this year’s campaign.

Any residents with winter items to donate can bring them to Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes at 385 Lansdowne St. on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment by emailing pathrfh@gmail.com for their new ‘Ready for Home’ pilot program.

“In the harsh cold of winter, experiencing homelessness becomes an even more formidable challenge,” said Craig Jones, Peterborough Paramedics commander of operations. “Your contributions go beyond blankets; they provide solace, hope, and a tangible reminder that our community stands together in solidarity. Your generosity blankets those in need with more than just warmth – it offers kindness, understanding, and a shared commitment to making a difference.”

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Peterborough County Launches Blankets for People 2024 Campaign

Peterborough County-City Paramedics (PCCP) is launching the second annual 'Blankets for People' campaign from Jan. 8 until March 15 announced on Friday morning.

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT) KERRI KIGHTLEY, FOURCAST; CRAIG JONES, PETERBOROUGH COUNTY CITY PARAMEDICS COMMANDER OF OPERATIONS AND BRUCE THOMPSON, WINDSOR’S DRYCLEANIGN CENTRE CO-OWNER WRAPPED IN A BLANKET TO KICK OFF THE INAUGURAL ‘BLANKETS FOR PEOPLE’ campaign from last year. PHOTO BY DAVID TUAN BUI.

This initiative supplies essential blankets and sleeping bags to those in need during winter.

The campaign partners with the County of Peterborough, the City of Peterborough, One City Peterborough and Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre.

The County encourages residents in the greater Peterborough area to contribute new or gently used blankets and sleeping bags. Drop-off is available starting on Monday at Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre (655 Parkhill Rd. W.) in Peterborough. Donated items will be professionally cleaned by Windsor’s at no cost and delivered to the Trinity Community Centre at 360 Reid St. in Downtown Peterborough. Donations will be accepted until March 15.

Individuals seeking a blanket or sleeping bag can visit the Trinity Community Centre and approach the helpful staff without formalities. They will receive a clean blanket or sleeping bag without questions. Blankets will be available for pick up until March 15.

New this year is 'pop-up' drop-off and pick-up locations throughout Peterborough County throughout this campaign. Peterborough Paramedics and Peterborough County staff members will attend one Public Skate session in each township, where residents can ‘Fill the Ambulance’ with blanket donations. This 'popup' location will also be a chance for any individual in need to pick up a freshly cleaned blanket.

• Township of Cavan Monaghan Cavan Monaghan Community Centre, Jan. 14 from 1 - 2 p.m.

• Township of Selwyn Ennismore Community Centre, Jan. 28th from 1 - 2 p.m.

• Township of Havelock-Belmont Methuen Havelock-Belmont-Methuen Community Centre, Feb. 4 from 1 - 2 p.m.

• Township of North Kawartha North Kawartha Community Centre, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

• Township of Douro-Dummer Douro Community Centre, Feb. 11 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Township of Otonabee-South Monaghan Otonabee Memorial Community Centre, Feb. 18 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

• Township of Asphodel-Norwood Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre, Feb. 24 from 11 a.m. - noon

• Municipality of Trent Lakes date and time to be determined

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'Blankets for People' Initiative Launched For Anyone Needing It For the Cold Weather; Blanket Donations Can Be Made to Windsor's Drycleaning

The Peterborough County-City Paramedics (PCCP), Fourcast, Peterborough County, the City of Peterborough and Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre have launched the first-ever ‘Blankets for People’ initiative to provide blankets and/or sleeping bags to anyone who needs them announced on Friday.

(from left to right) Kerri Kightley, Fourcast; Craig Jones, Peterborough County City Paramedics commander of operations and Bruce Thompson, Windsor’s Drycleanign Centre co-owner wrapped in a blanket to kick off the inaugural ‘Blankets for People’ initiative. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Peterborough City/County residents are encouraged to donate new or used blankets and sleeping bags at Windsor’s Drycleaning Centre to be cleaned and packaged for redistribution. There are already some blankets donated towards the cause prior to the announcement of the initiative.

The cleaned items are shipped to Fourcast’s CTS site at 220 Simcoe St. (beside the Downtown Bus Terminal) to be picked up. Clean blankets or sleeping bags will be given with no questions asked. There are no criteria for anyone to receive a blanket according to Craig Jones, Peterborough County City Paramedics commander of operations.

“There's a no-barrier environment,” said Jones. “If you need a blanket, we will get you one.”

‘Blankets for People’ will run until the cold weather season has finished.

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