Coats For Kids 2025: Keep Island Children Warm This Winter
Victoria Barbour • October 1, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Coats for Kids 2025 Campaign: Winter Wear Collection Runs Until October 27th
Charlottetown, PEI – The annual Coats for Kids campaign gets underway on October 14th, collecting gently used or new winter clothing for Island children in need. Organized by Downtown Charlottetown Inc. (DCI) in partnership with The Salvation Army, Confederation Court Mall, and Sterns Laundry, this important initiative ensures that local children—from infants to teens—stay warm through PEI’s long, cold winters.
Items needed include:
- Winter coats and snowsuits
- Snow pants
- Hats, mittens, and gloves
- Scarves and winter boots
“Island winters are long, harsh, and unforgiving—and far too many children face them without proper winter clothing,” says Dawn Alan, CEO of Downtown Charlottetown Inc. “Each year, we collect hundreds of coats, and every single one finds a home. That tells us just how urgent the need truly is. As temperatures drop, time is of the essence. Let’s come together as a community, fill those bins at the drop-off depot, and make this winter warmer, safer, and brighter for Island children in need.”
Donation Details:
- Drop-off deadline: Monday, October 27th
- Location: Confederation Court Mall (main level, base of the escalators)
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
“We are once again proud to support Downtown Charlottetown’s Coats for Kids program,” says Sophie Palmer-Still, Marketing Manager at Confederation Court Mall. “This local, annual initiative is essential for many Island families struggling to provide warm winter clothing. Our central downtown location makes it easy for the community to contribute, and we look forward to seeing the donation bins filled once again.”
All donated items will be cleaned by Sterns Laundry and then distributed by The Salvation Army at their “Free Shop,” which will be open to families from November 3–6. Children and parents will be able to browse and select from racks of clean coats, snowsuits, hats, mittens, and more.
Questions about distribution: contact The Salvation Army at 902-892-2281. “Coats for Kids is a program that has an immediate positive impact on a child’s well-being. A warm coat can bring a warm smile during the cold winter months,” says Lt. John Burton of The Salvation Army, Charlottetown
DCI invites local businesses and organizations to rally their teams by organizing staff or office-wide outdoor winter clothing drives and dropping off their collections at the Confederation Court Mall depot. It’s a meaningful way to give back and make a direct impact in our community.
Together, we can keep Island kids warm this winter.
For more information,
Dawn Alan, CEO, Downtown Charlottetown Inc.
info@downtowncharlottetown.com
902-368-8636
L-R: Dawn Alan, CEO DCI; Nathan Clark & Rebecca Barrett of Courtside Sneakers; Steve Dunne, President DCI; Mark Rodd, Carolyn Bertram, Mark Rostad of Rodd Hotels & Resorts; Hal Bevan.
Downtown Charlottetown Inc. Announces Winners of 2025 WinterDine People’s Choice Award For Immediate Release Charlottetown, PE - WinterDine, A celebration of Charlottetown’s culinary landscape, returned for its 20 th year last month. Featuring 23 of downtown Charlottetown’s distinguished fine di ning restaurants, over three consecutive week s. Participating dinner restaurants offered three-course meals, and lunch participants offered two-course meals, exclusively curated for WinterDine by some of Charlottetown’s top culinary artisans. The “People’s Choice Menu Award” is an online contest held during the event that allows the public to vote for their favorite WinterDine menu. The Chef’s creation with the most votes receives the 2025 WinterDine People’s Choice Menu Award. Downtown Charlottetown Inc. was pleased to announce this year’s winners and present them with their awards at today’s Annual General Meeting: WinterDine 1st Place People’s Choice Menu: Slaymaker & Nichols Gastro House This award was presented to Head Prep Chef Debora Salvini . Chef Debora created three different WinterDine menus this year featuring entrees of chicken, pork loin, and short ribs. We are pleased to award Slaymaker & Nichols with their 3rd WinterDine People’s Choice Award this year, previous wins include 1st place in 2023 and 2nd place in 2021. WinterDine 2nd Place People’s Choice Menu: Claddagh Oyster House This award was presented to Chef Landon Thaxter . Chef Landon created three different WinterDine menus this year featuring entree’s utilizing island beef and seafood. We are pleased to award Claddagh Oyster House their fifth WinterDine People’s Choice Award this year, previous wins include 1st place in 2024, 2022, 2019, and 2018. Frost Bites WinterDine Lunch People’s Choice Award: TIE: Punjabi Bites & The Cork & Cast We are pleased to announce that there was a tie for 1 st place for the Frost Bites People’s Choice Award. This award was presented to Owners Saubrah Sharma, Shifali Bandal & Chef Vijay Singh of Punjabi Bites & Chef Rebecca Reardon of The Cork & Cast . Punjabi Bites offered a delicious 3-course meal. The Cork & Cast offered a classic lunch - a ½ sandwich, soup & salad which was so popular they are adding it to their full-time menu. This is the first time earning a People’s Choice Award for both establishments. -30- For more information, please contact: Dawn Alan, Executive Director, Downtown Charlottetown Inc. (902) 368-8636 Email Here
Stay in the Know with Downtown Charlottetown Inc.'s Daily Facebook Posts Planning your day in Charlottetown? Look no further! Downtown Charlottetown Inc. keeps you informed with daily "What's Happening in Downtown Charlottetown" Facebook posts. Each morning, we curate a list of events happening throughout the downtown core. From live music performances and captivating theatre productions to engaging craft classes and unique workshops, there's always something to discover. Want your event featured? Simply send us an email with the event details, and we'll include it in our daily posts.
