Coats on the bridge event a huge success, organizers say

By JEREMY APPEL on January 3, 2020.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel

Hatters donated an estimated 300 coats on New Year’s Eve for people in need, an act described as “delightfully overwhelming” by one of the initiative’s organizers.

On Dec. 31, members of the public were invited to hang their gently-used jackets, as well as mittens, scarves and hats, on the city hall side of Finlay Bridge, a project embraced with enthusiasm by locals.

“There was nothing but kindness and joy on that bridge,” says Kym Porter, who conceived of the initiative with her friend Helen Snortland after learning about a similar project undertaken in Dublin. “People were excited to be there.”

Porter says people claimed 200 of the coats between New Year’s Eve and Day.

The remaining 100 will be divided up and dispersed to the women’s shelter, Mustard Seed, HIV Community Link and the Salvation Army, she said.

“They will all still all be in the community, free for the taking,” said Porter.

One concern Porter had was the possibility of the jackets falling off Finlay into the river or onto the road, which was ultimately a non-issue.

“We attached them to the side of the bridge in a way that the hangers were fairly secure. We had thoughts that we had to run a bunch of cords or something across them, but we didn’t have to do that,” she said.

“There was one point in the evening where the wind picked up a bit and the coats blew out a little bit, but nothing blew into the river by any means. In fact, the way they were lined up on the bridge, the wind was pushing against them.”

Porter and Snortland were at Finlay until about 10 p.m. Tuesday night assisting those in need finding attire in the right size, returning to collect the remaining coats Wednesday.

“A fair amount got taken overnight, which was great. That’s what we were hoping for,” Porter said.

When they returned, there will still people dropping off and picking up coats, she added.

“It was an amazing display of kindness in this community. It was delightfully overwhelming,” said Porter.

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