Coats for the Homeless 2013 distribution- messages of thanks
This year the Order of Malta distributed 2,500 of our specially designed winter Coats across Australia. Here are just a few of the messages we received.
I have been homeless for sometime. I was at the soup van that calls at “Hanover” in Southbank Melbourne tonight and I was given one of your black coats which is very warm and will keep out the wind, as the weather is getting colder and had a dramatic turn into winter the last two weeks I am very grateful and very appreciative of it. This is just to say thank you, I will look after it and put it to good use. Kevin*, Melbourne, VIC – *Name changed to protect the individual’s identity
On Friday 12th July we distributed the fantastic coats donated to us from your Order. They went to our friends on the streets in Martin Place and Ward Park in Surry Hills, Sydney. The response was truly humbling as they looked upon such wonderful gifts. The quality and appropriateness of the coats for their purpose was spot on. I might also add that it was so cold many of our friends put their brand new coats on immediately.
On behalf of all of us at Mini Vinnies, thank you for helping us work towards our goals of helping as many of those in need as we can. It is through the support and generosity of people such as yourself that we can keep reaching out to those who need help. Carmen Pollifrone, Mini Vinnies Project, All Hallows Parish, Five Dock NSW
Thank you to the Order of Malta for the donation of new, warm winter Coats. Janet put them to work straight away. They arrived at the coldest part of this winter and have been greatly appreciated by our men and people on the soup run Extract taken from article in ‘Moore News’ about the Coats donated to the Adelaide Day Centre in SA
We had a look at one of them [the Coats] and it’s obvious that a lot of thought and effort was put into the design to make it most suitable for a homeless person i.e. light, compact to pack up, water resistant etc. On behalf of the Society I would like to thank the Order of Malta for the donation of the coats to the Bathurst Diocese. Frank Moes, St Vincent de Paul, Bathurst, NSW
These Coats are a wonderful practical gift for the homeless that we see at our Family Assistance Centre here in Dubbo. God’s special blessings on the wonderful work that you do and also on the homeless people that you are able to support through your efforts. Helen Logan, St Jude’s Conference, Dubbo and Pat Yeo, St Brigid’s Conference, Dubbo, NSW
Please pass on our gratitude to the members of your organisation for providing warmth and protection from the rain for those doing it tough on the streets. The timing is excellent too as the weather has turned to Winter recently. Bryan, The Shopfront, Maylands, WA
In our welfare work we come across people who are actually homeless and these coats will give them something to wear when they’re sleeping rough. Kerry Muir, St Vincent de Paul Armidale, NSW
Thank you to everyone who supported the Coats project in 2013. Particular mention must be made of the Master Builders Foundation Queensland who supported the project with a $15,000 donation and the Sisters of Charity Foundation and TVSN who each donated $10,000 to support the project.
Planning for the 2014 distribution is already underway. If you would like to support Coats for the Homeless, you can donate online using the Paypal button below:
Related articles:
Learn more about the Coats for the Homeless project
VIDEO – Miranda Devine talks to TVSN about Coats for the Homeless
