Organization keeping London's homeless warm needs help
A London organization designed to help keep kids and the broader homeless population warm is looking for more support.
Keeping Kids Warm provides mitts, scarves and hats to those in need in a unique way.
On Wednesday, volunteer Ken Laurin explained to CTV News London the methods at Boyle Park in London’s Old East Village.
“What we do is we put them in [clear] bags to keep them from the elements and hang them here so that anybody who needs a hat or a pair of mitts to keep warm, they can come and take what they need,” said Laurin.
He also says the bags give a person experiencing homelessness the opportunity to accept a gift they might decline in person. The winter-wear items are placed in many areas throughout the Forest City.
Laurin joined Keeping Kids Warm five years ago after meeting Londoner Donna Atkinson-Wilson.
She founded the organization after an appearance of CTV London's former morning show, ‘New Day.’
“By the time I got home, I had received so many messages of help and support,” said Atkinson-Wilson.
Ken Laurin, a volunteer with Keeping Kids Warm, is seen at London’s Boyle Park, Jan. 26, 2022. (Sean Irvine / CTV London)The support elated her as was recovering from depression. With the support, she received a new charity was born and has since helped thousands of people.
“I figure we’ve given out over 20,000 items, handmade items,” she said.
But, there is more than yarn to this charity, “It’s more than mitts,” Atkinson-Wilson contends.
She believes in some ways, the items lift the mental health of recipients.
“Even to just know someone cares about them is what my message is.”
But as she and her volunteers spread their warming items around, they have also gotten to know London’s growing homeless population, especially the young.
But with successful connections comes some painful losses among the faces they meet.
“We lost four kids last year, all teenagers, four in a week,” said Atkinson-Wilson.
As she points out Bell Let’s Talk Day, she reminds us all to keep an open mind about the young in need.
Some of them have issues, mental health issues, drug issues, but they are kids, they’re kids! I would never, ever, see a child struggle if I could help them.”
Keeping Kids Warm is looking for more knitters and item distributors. If you can help, Atkinson-Wilson asks that you visit their Facebook page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.