2025 Coats For Community

United Way & PATH Partner Again for Coats for Community

Last year, 2,200 coats were collected and distributed, surpassing the 1,844 in 2023.

Yesterday, United Way Peterborough & District (UWP) announced that it is once again partnering with Peterborough Action For Tiny Homes (PATH) to launch the annual Coats for Community campaign—an expanded version of the original Coats for Kids initiative started in 1986.

The Coats for Community campaign collects winter essentials—coats, boots, sleeping bags, blankets, and more—for infants, children, youth, families, seniors, and unhoused individuals across Peterborough. Items are distributed through United Way agency partners and other local organizations throughout the winter.

Thanks to PATH’s involvement, donations will be collected and distributed continuously throughout the season, rather than through a single-day pickup. PATH works with agencies across the City and County of Peterborough to ensure timely access to warm clothing and essentials.

Participating agencies include: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Children’s Foundation, YWCA, One City, Good Neighbours, New Canadians Centre, Elizabeth Fry Society, YES Shelter For Youth & Families, among others.

Public Donation Days

PATHway to Warmth: Launch Donation Days

PATH is kicking off its seasonal donation drive with a special three-day public drop-off event:

  • Dates: October 16, 17, and 18
  • Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
  • Location: 385 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough

Ongoing Donation Hours (Beginning October 19)

Donations will continue to be accepted throughout the fall and winter at PATH:

  • Wednesdays: 9 AM – 3 PM
  • Saturdays: 10 AM – 3 PM
  • Location: 385 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough

Additional Donation Needs

In addition to winter jackets, the campaign is seeking donations of:

  • Extra-large boxes or bins for collection sites
  • Heavy-duty coat racks to assist PATH in distribution
  • Sleeping bags and blankets
  • Winter boots

Public Pick Up Days

The majority of donated items will be distributed through agencies in the City and County of Peterborough, but PATH will also be open for community members individually to pick up coats the first Saturday of each month:

First Saturday of Each Month Nov-Apr: November 1, December 6, January 3, February 7, March 7, April 4

Location: 385 Lansdowne Street East, Peterborough

Get Involved

Organizations interested in hosting a donation bin or contributing supplies can email: info@pathptbo.org

Let’s come together to keep our community warm this winter.

Volunteers With Coats

Coats For Community Launch October 8, 2025

Social Posts

👏 A huge thank you to @islinsurance for stepping up to support Backpacks for Success this year! 

Their workplace donation drive is officially underway, and it's a great reminder that making a difference is easy, and can start right at work.

Want to get your workplace, business, or organization involved? Hosting a Backpacks for Success supply drive is easy, fun, and has a direct impact on local students as they head back to school with the supplies they need to succeed.

💬 Comment "BACKPACK" below, and we'll send you everything you need to get started, including our workplace toolkit, wish list, and all the details.

Together, we can help ensure every student starts the school year ready to learn. 📚✨
Every great leader has a story... and today, we're excited to share the beginning of @_thetiffanyshow story as your 2026 United Way Campaign Chair.

As we launch our 85th Community Campaign, we're turning the page to a new chapter - one rooted in connection, collaboration, and the incredible power of community. Tiffany has spent years shining a spotlight on the people, organizations and stories that make Peterborough & District such a special place to call home. Now, she'll help lead a Campaign that celebrates what we can accomplish when we come together.

This grand reveal wouldn't have been possible without the creativity and generosity of Johanna Hawkshaw and the incredible team @yourtvptbo who helped bring our vision to life. Thank you for embracing the fun and helping us tell this story in such a memorable way.

If UW Campaign Chairs came with a Netflix special, we're pretty sure this would make the final cut 🎬🍿 ... 

A special thank you as well to our 2025 Campaign Chair, Paul Rellinger, and our amazing staff for being great sports and helping kick off this exciting new chapter.

Here's to 85 years of neighbours helping neighbours, and to everything we'll accomplish together this campaign.

Welcome to the team, Tiffany! We can't wait to see what we are able to accomplish together.

#UnitedWayPeterborough #CommunityCampaign #85YearsUnited
Now Accepting Applications!📣

United Way Peterborough & District is pleased to announce that we are once again accepting proposals for funding through Reaching Home. 

Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy is a community-based program aimed at preventing and reducing homelessness across Canada. This program provides funding to communities to help them address their local homelessness needs. 

📝To apply, please visit our website at uwpeterborough.ca
‼️All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, August 4, 2026. 

If you’re interested in applying but aren’t sure if you’re eligible, or if you have questions that aren’t answered in the online checklist, please reach out to us at ℹ️ reachinghome@uwpeterborough.ca.
Well prepared and ready to learn! 📚✏️
That’s what Backpacks for Success is all about! Your support helps ensure that students across Peterborough & County have the materials they need to take on the 2026 school year with confidence.

Whether you host a collection drive, become an event sponsor, or make a monetary donation, every contribution makes a difference to school aged students from grades K–12. 

📲 Contact us today to get involved!
Clue number TWO✌️!

Every great leader has a story. Can you find the words that help tell the story of our 2026 Campaign Chair?

Drop your guesses below👇…
👀 The first clue has arrived!

Every great leader brings something special to the table, and these six emojis represent just a few things that make our 2026 Campaign Chair who they are ✨

Can you guess who it might be🤔?
22% of Canadians live with a disability.

41% of people in poverty have a disability.

Those numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a call to action.

This #DisabilityPrideMonth, United Way Peterborough & District stands with people with disabilities to break barriers and build communities where everyone belongs. 

We invest in accessible community programs and barrier-reduction initiatives as part of a strategic response to this gap. 
🤝❤️
Canada looks like the neighbour who checks in. The volunteer who shows up. The community that holds space for everyone.

This July 1, we recommit to a Canada where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our office is closed today, Wednesday July 1 and will reopen tomorrow, Thursday July 2.

Looking for support? Dial 211 to be connected to non-emergency community health and social services in our area.
Our grand finale retirement prank: a boardroom full of Jim’s!

Thanks for the laughs, Jim.
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