The Adopt-A-Child/Keep Kids Warm program is back for its 36th year.
The program purchases new snowsuits and boots for children from 0 to 12 years old.
According to Adopt-A-Child/Keep Kids Warm, at least 1100 children are being helped on average. Registrations come from across the Quinte region including north to Madoc and Marmora, and to the east in Deseronto.
The program is done in partnership with Quinte Broadcasting (the owner of Quinte News), Belleville Police Service, the Township of Stirling Rawdon, Central Hastings OPP, and Prince Edward OPP.
Poster for the 36th year of the Adopt-A-Child/Keep Kids Warm program on the door of the Community Room at the Belleville Police Headquarters. September 13, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Chairperson of the program, Ann-Earle Dempsey, says the program is needed now more than ever.
“So everything is super expensive with inflation and everything. So we do help families that are on assistance but we’re also helping working families because it’s hard. It’s not cheap, right? It’s expensive for kids,” Dempsey tells media members.
“So this way, we have brand new snowsuits and boots, and the kids are warm. That’s what matters.”
The program is predicting that anywhere between 1,300 and 1,500 area children will need their help.
“We’re finding that with the influx of people from the cities and adult students coming into Loyalist College that they’re not able to swing the extra to be able to get their children their snowsuits for the wintertime,” longtime volunteer Dennise Rogers tells media. “So we step in and we give them a hand.”
Belleville Police inspector Sheri Meeks says she is hopeful that the community will step up since the program relies on donations from the public.
“Our community never fails to step up and we are such a supportive community here,” Meeks tells media.
“I think everyone recognizes the need. The children are our future and they need what’s a basic necessity, food, shelter, clothing. So I think this is something that everyone can get behind and support.”
Registration begins Wednesday and continues until September 29. Afterward, radio adoptions will begin early October. Applicants will then be able to pick up their snowsuits in early November.
Those who are interested in registering to get a snowsuit or would like to make a donation to the program can head to Adopt-A-Child/Keep Kids Warm’s website.
From (l-r), Barbara Lea, Sheri Meeks, Ann Earle Dempsey, Dennise Rogers and Maureen Cooper. September 13, 2023. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
