Person holding a box of winter clothesCUPE 2466 representing workers in the town of Saguenay has opted to celebrate Christmas this year by establishing a campaign to assist the less fortunate by teaming up with the Maison d’accueil pour sans-abri (shelter for the homeless) in Chicoutimi.

“With this gesture, we wanted to give back to our city and extend a helping hand to those most in need. We therefore set up boxes in our workplaces to gather donations. The Maison d’accueil pour sans-abri told us they are looking for warm clothing for the winter,” explained Stéphanie Cloutier, president of CUPE 2466.

The union is thrilled with the positive response by members. Coats, toques, socks and sweaters have been accumulating in boxes sporting the campaign slogan “Offrez de la chaleur, vous en recevrez en retour” (Offer warmth and you’ll get some back).

“We will be having a hot chocolate with our members when we’ll go to pick up the boxes in late November so that we can give some warmth back to them. The items will be distributed in December. It’s cold up in our part of the Belle Province,” added Cloutier.