Community Corner

Have Extra Coat, Hat, Gloves? Cold-Weather Clothes Being Collected for Contra Costa Homeless

Donations of new/like-new items can be conveniently dropped off at White Pony Express General Store in Pleasant Hill.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – Announcement from White Pony Express of Contra Costa County:

White Pony Express has launched its Cold Weather Clothing Program for this winter.

The program’s ambitious goal is to acquire at least 3,000 items of new or like-new clothing—coats, pants, shirts, socks, hats, gloves, scarves, underwear and boots—to be given to the homeless and others in great need.

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Those who are homeless in Contra Costa County should never suffer from the cold weather in winter.

The Cold Weather Clothing Program originated last winter when two homeless men, John Dulik and Todd Cambra, died from exposure in Walnut Creek. It was that sad situation that spurred our founder, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, to ask that warm clothing be obtained and provided to the homeless to enable them to endure cold winter nights.

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Their deaths were not in vain. Conner attended the memorial service for John and Todd, and then asked that the White Pony Express “Free General Store” immediately create a Cold Weather Clothing Program so no others would die for lack of basic protection.

Dr. Conner and a friend provided $20,000, and our volunteers began seeking quality new items at deep discounts. The White Pony Express Free General Store has provided hundreds of items to the homeless people most at risk.

Clothing donations for the Cold Weather Clothing Program can be delivered to the White Pony Express Free General Store Workshop at Suite 101, 3380 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill:

  • Monday through Friday: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Monday: 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Donated items should be in the same new or like-new condition, that you’d happily give as gifts to a close family member.

Also consider a tax deductible personal or organizational donation. With the Cold Weather Program’s bulk purchasing, a donation of just $10 can provide multiple articles of warm clothing.

We always welcome more volunteers! Schedules and assignments are flexible, fun, and include a wide range of personally rewarding activities.

For more information, to schedule a donation, and see volunteer opportunities, please go to the website: www.whiteponyexpress.org or call the donation hotline: (925) 322-0604.

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