Pubdate: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Mark Browne Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) WINTER CLOTHES COLLECTED FOR HOMELESS The Vancouver Island Compassion Society doesn't restrict its activities to providing medicinal marijuana to people suffering from various illnesses. The non-profit organization held its first annual winter coat drive to help keep the homeless population safe from the cold weather. The society's membership of more than 500 who use medicinal marijuana for various illnesses participated in the winter coat drive. "We always seem to be reactive rather than proactive when it comes to cold weather... so we decided in November to start collecting for this winter drive," said Phillipe Lucas, the society's director. On Wednesday, the society dropped off its first collection of winter clothing to the Open Door street ministry. The donation consisted of 23 winter coats, 16 sweaters, seven scarves, five pairs of gloves and some boots and blankets to the Open Door street ministry. "It was a resounding success," Lucas said. At the same time, Lucas said the donation of winter clothing will only go so far given the size of Victoria's homeless population. "This is a small drop in the bucket for the greater need of the disadvantaged here in Victoria it. It's our small contribution," he said. Still, the winter coat drive is an effective way of reminding people of the importance of looking after the homeless, particularly during the winter, Lucas said. "We're very fortunate here in Victoria. Most of us aren't going to be cold or hungry over the holidays and this is just a small reminder of the things we can do to help," he said. The society plans to continue collecting winter clothing for the homeless for the remainder of the winter, Lucas said. "We keep getting coats and sweaters on a regular basis," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D