The Jacket Racket is back at the Okotoks United Church for its 25th year.

During the annual event, locals are asked to donate gently-used winter clothing, which is then inspected, cleaned, and eventually made available during scheduled hours at the church to anyone who needs it.

The intent is to provide clothing during the colder months to those who need it while making sure good clothes don't go to waste.

Last year's event included thorough COVID protocols like masking, hand sanitization, limited capacity, and contact tracing.

There'll still be precautions this time around, but not so many, says one of the event's coordinators, Karen Pryznyk.

"This year, we're just doing mandatory masking, hand sanitizing, and asking people to maintain physical distancing and also to come prepared so people don't have to spend too long. If they know what sizes they need and who they're buying for, then they can be in and out in no time."

They'll be getting some help this year from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, who first reached out last year.

"They contacted us last year and asked if we would like some help. We said 'sure,' and we just had no idea how amazing they would be, they just overwhelmed us with kindness and with jackets and mitts and all kinds of things we needed. it was quite overwhelming."

If you're looking to donate, you can bring your winter clothing to:

Okotoks United Church
Okotoks Public Library
Okotoks Firehall (Milligan)
Pason Centennial Centre (Gold Arena)
Sobeys Okotoks
Main Street Market & More
Better Than Home Laundry
Foothills Cleaners

Clothes can be picked up at the church on the following days:

Oct. 19, 26, and Nov. 2 from 6-8 p.m.

Oct 23, 30, and Nov 6, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

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