Christmas is seen as a time for giving and that is exactly what the community of Princeton looks to be doing this winter.
The coat rack outside Eureka The Everything Store is a clear example of how much the town is willing to offer.
Sandra Dalgleish and her husband, Luigi Gino Del-Ciotto, own Eureka The Everything Store and organize the donations for the coat rack - which is open to anyone who needs them.
After a notice was posted near Manning Park area asking people to donate items no longer being used to their store, Dalgleish received more donations than any year before.
"They brought a truckload of stuff up to us and that was the first time the community got together to bring stuff," she said. "I could not believe it when they brought a whole bunch of stuff. It was really nice."
Dalgleish saw the urgency for setting this up, especially during the cold winter months from November to March.
"Last year, I had surgery in early December and I was in the hospital. I could not believe the number of people who were (there) with frostbite ... it blew my mind" she said. "Somebody had to give (these people) what they needed."
Dalgleish wants to make these essential items easily accessible for people in need.
Since 2020, they have set up a coat rack outside their shop for people to donate clothing, like winter coats and socks.
Socks are the quickest item to go and Dalgleish is continuing to ask for more donations, especially during the holidays.
"We leave hangers outside, so even if we are not open, (people) can drop stuff off."
The initiative was done in memory of Dalgleish's daughter Kaitlynn, who lived on the street and died after battling addiction in 2021.
"Just because my daughter is gone, doesn't mean her friends aren't still here and in need," Dalgleish said. "The word is getting out there which we appreciate because it helps."
