From October 4 to 20, 2021 we again collected warm men's, women's or children's coats in various locations in Eindhoven for people who need it badly. Young refugees, homeless people, people living in poverty and for whom buying a warm winter coat is not obvious. Poignant in our Brainport region where things seem to be going so well, but unfortunately there is also poverty.

This year, 2,200 coats were turned in. Anyone can donate. From Theo Maassen who donated two of his warm coats to homeless gentlemen, PSV player coats and this year musician and former professional soccer player Björn van der Doelen. But of course also pre-loved jackets.

On October 21, 2021, we distributed the collected coats to 9 local foundations: #Awesome Ruilatelier, Kledingbank Eindhoven, Salvation Army, Experience that Stands, Living Room for Refugees, Inloophuis 't Hemeltje, Neos, GGzE and Dress for Success. In addition to coats, a thousand warm items of clothing such as hats, scarves, sweaters and pants. This is how we make Eindhoven winter-proof.

What garments?

The focus, again for 2022, was on warm coats, of good quality and washed clean. Worn, pre-loved, is of course fine.

There are also a number of other garments that will keep you dry when you are out on the streets:

• Warm Jackets (for men, women and children)
• Hats, gloves and scarves (for men, women and children)
• Rainwear (especially for homeless men)
• Sweaters/vests/jeans (for young refugees and gentlemen on the street)

Collection points Oct. 4 to 20, 2021

Publicly accessible collection points:

• DELA (Oude Stadsgracht 1, Eindhoven) open Monday through Friday (9.00-17.00)
• High Tech Campus Eindhoven (The Strip/Mart, High Tech Campus Eindhoven 1B, Eindhoven) open Monday through Friday (9.00-16.30)
• Vrijwillige Hulpdienst Eindhoven / Maatje 040 (Piuslaan 74a, Eindhoven) open from Monday to Thursday (9.00-17.00) and Friday (9.00-13.00)
• Buutvrij for the whole pot (Heuveleindseweg 6D, Best) open Wednesday through Sunday (10:00-17:30)
• and on Saturday October 16 from 10.00 - 14.00 coats can be handed in at Hotel Pullman Eindhoven Cocagne (Vestdijk 47, Eindhoven)

From October 4 to 20, companies (ASML, DAF, Eindhoven Airport, NXP and Woonbedrijf) from our network were also collection points, but collection was done 'behind the scenes' among the staff, so these organizations were not open to the public. 

Heart Warming Together: free coat and free coffee

Starting Oct. 21, 2021, the warm coats will have a new owner. New this year is that refugees (from the Living Room for Refugees Eindhoven) attached hearts to each coat. This heart is worth two free cups of coffee or tea this year (until December 31, 2021). With this gesture we want to literally give the target group, such as homeless people, some extra warmth.

Eindhoven's involved hospitality entrepreneurs(Eindhoven Witte Dame Library, CoffeeLab (railway station and Strijp S), Caffeine Dealers (GGzE), Koffiehuisje, 't Rozenknopje and ZwartWit Koffie) are participating in this action; it fits in with their social commitment. Not everyone takes getting a good coffee for granted and now, for once, they can. The 1,400 hearts made Foundation #Awesome Clothing Exchange Workshop in Tongelre. Thanks to the donation from the Poverty Fund, we can make this possible.

A card from Björn van der Doelen

In addition to a heart on the jacket, the new owner will also find a handwritten card. Björn van der Doelen wrote: 'Lots of fun and especially warmth with this new old coat. Greetings Björn van der Doelen'.