Bendigo Community Health Services is calling on people to scour their cupboards and draws to support the 2019 Bendigo Community Coat Drive from May 6.
AFL Central Victoria is supporting the drive in 2019 with football and netball captains visiting Pristine Dry Cleaners in High Street on Tuesday to help launch the campaign with manager Jane Townsend and Bendigo Community Health Services chief executive officer Gerard Jose.
The 2019 Bendigo Community Coat Drive runs from May 6 to May 25.
Pristine Dry Cleaners will clean every donated item free of charge.
Bendigo Community Health Services received more than 1400 donations last year.
BCHS CEO Gerard Jose said the coat drive supported people in the community forced to go cold every winter because they didn’t have the means to buy a warm coat.
“There are people in the community forced to make decisions every week about whether to spend the limited money they have on food, heating or rent – they simply don’t have the means to buy a new coat for themselves or their children to get through winter,” Mr Jose said.
Can you help? See the list of donation drop off points below
“The Bendigo Community Coat Drive allows those in the community with the means to help others not so fortunate. A coat, blanket, beanie or gloves makes a huge difference to someone in need.”
Donated coats are distributed through Bendigo Community Health Services sites at 3 Seymoure Street in Eaglehawk, 19 Helm Street in Kangaroo Flat and 165-171 Hargreaves Street in Bendigo.
The coat drive will also support partners such as headspace Bendigo and the Haven Home Safe HeyVan which tours known rough sleeping spots each weeknight.
Mr Jose said the coat drive would not work without the amazing support of Pristine Dry Cleaners.
“For many years now the Pristine team has cleaned thousands of items across three weeks free of charge which is such an incredibly kind and community-minded gesture. We can’t thank them enough for their support,” Mr Jose said.
Pristine Dry Cleaners manager Jane Townsend said the coat drive allowed the business to ‘give back’ to the community.
“It’s fantastic to see the donations roll in every year – Bendigo is such a wonderful community. It’s great for Pristine Dry Cleaners to help people in need find some relief from the colder weather,” she said.
“The coats we get are really good quality and we even get donations handmade just for the coat drive.”
Drop off points for coat donations:
Pristine Dry Cleaners
Shop 141/157-161 High Street, Bendigo.
Bendigo Community Health Services sites:
Bendigo Central - 165-171 Hargreaves Street.
Eaglehawk – 3 Seymoure Street.
Kangaroo Flat – 13 Helm Street.
How to get more information/questions:
Anyone wanting more information on the 2019 Bendigo Community Coat Drive should visit www.bchs.om.au or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (03) 5448 1600.