Growing old comes with its challenges. This is why United Way wants to help vulnerable older adults access the basic needs they deserve to live a healthy and dignified life. Keeping Seniors Warm ensures that our community’s residents AGED 55+ are equipped with the appropriate winter gear to keep them warm during the cold months. The program currently runs in Sudbury with the hopes of expanding in other North East regions.
Eligible participants are invited to a special day of shopping at a participating location where they are paired up with a volunteer and given a $175 credit to purchase a warm coat, boots, socks, mittens, and anything else that might help keep them safe. Participants are also given a goodie bag filled with treats donated by local community businesses and volunteers.
Keeping Seniors Warm is currently available for residents of Greater Sudbury, over the aged of 55 and in a vulnerable living situation. Currently only 100 participants are funded for the program and are accepted on a first come first served basis. We will endeavour to accommodate new program members first.
You must be referred by a referral agency (i.e. churches, Home and Community Care, housing, primary care, Support Workers). Your referral agency will fill out the application form with you and submit it to United Way.
Applications for the program are available starting in September for the November shopping event.
Once we receive your application, you will be contacted by a member of the Keeping Seniors Warm Committee. We’ll provide you with your shopping time and other details including what required identification to bring. Please note that if you are not registered and your participation has not been confirmed directly with you, you will not be able to shop.
If you have any questions about how to apply, please call 705-560-3330 or email info@uwcneo.com
* If you cannot attend in person due to mobility issues or illness, a family member or friend can shop on your behalf during your time slot.
The Keeping Seniors Warm is always looking for volunteers to assist on the day of the event, put goodie bags together, knit blankets for participants and more. If you are interested in supporting Keeping Seniors Warm in a volunteer role, please contact Megan Karchie at 705-560-330 ext. 300 or email m.karchie@uwcneo.com
The Keeping Seniors Warm program began as a volunteer-driven program in partnership between the City of Greater Sudbury’s Senior’s Advisory Panel, the Ward 8, Donovan/Elm West Community Actions Networks, the Lockerby Legion Ladies Auxiliary and St. Joseph’s Foundation of Sudbury and supported by many community organizations.
This program relies on the generosity of our community in order to continue helping older adults in our community. Your support is always appreciated. Please donate to the Keeping Seniors Warm program.