Coats get lost, stolen, worn out, outgrown and then winter arrives and a replacement is needed. That is where West 49 comes in.

Every winter, the staff and customers at West 49 provide the coats and non-profit groups all across Canada make them available to any one who has a need.

Last year,West 49 contributed  a total of 14,628 coats for kids in need. This year鈥檚 goal is 16,000. This is the ninth year of the campaign.

People interested in helping out can bring a clean, insulated winter coat to the West 49 store at Willowbrook Shopping Centre. In return, they will get $25 off any mens, ladies and youth winter jackets.

The coat drive goes until Nov. 17.

The Willowbrook store will donate all coats that it receives to Covenant House, a downtown Vancouver facility which helps homeless youth. It provides food and shelter, and also programs which help young people who are homeless to get a more solid footing in life.

To find out more about Covenant House, call 1-877-685-7474.