The Wall of Kindness: Over 2,500 Coats Collected!
On December 3, 2024, as part of Giving Tuesday, Renaissance, in partnership with La Maison du Père, revealed the results of the coat collection on the Walls of Kindness. This initiative, which has been growing in popularity since its first edition, aims to collect winter coats for people facing hardship in the Montreal area. In total, more than 2,500 coats were collected, and $2,000 in Renaissance gift cards were given to La Maison du Père to meet the need for warm clothing and to help personalize the residences of beneficiaries.
The collection of coats began on November 13, World Kindness Day, and ended on Sunday, December 1. For this third edition, four walls were set up in strategic locations: at the corners of Iberville/Masson, Sainte-Catherine East/Bourbonnière, Ontario/Saint-Timothée, and Saint-Viateur/Clark. Citizens were invited to drop off warm coats for those who cannot afford to equip themselves for the winter, offering warmth and comfort. A friendly challenge was also launched for local businesses to donate coats as teams and share their participation on social media, helping spread the word and encourage even more donors.
“The generosity of Montrealers has once again exceeded our expectations. Thanks to their donations and the commitment of our partners like La Maison du Père, we were able to turn the simple act of solidarity into a tangible impact for those who need it most. This success highlights the strength of a community united by values of sharing and kindness,” said Éric St-Arnaud, Chief Executive Officer of Renaissance.
“Seeing the community come together with such generosity to meet the essential needs of our beneficiaries is truly moving. Every coat hung on the Walls of Kindness represents an outpouring of solidarity that warms not only bodies but also hearts. We are deeply grateful to Renaissance and all the donors for their invaluable support,” said Jaëlle Begarin, President and Executive Director of La Maison du Père.
The current economic context has transformed the face of poverty. The number of people coming to take a coat directly from the walls has increased compared to previous years. Renaissance and La Maison du Père would like to thank everyone who participated in this collective and supportive movement.
By joining forces, we have helped improve the daily lives of those in the most vulnerable of situations and help make this winter a season of warmth, sharing, and solidarity.
