Reduce and Reuse Outgrown Winter Gear

Based on the rate at which our kids grow out of ski gear, many parents choose to sign up for ski shop rental programs where boots and skis or boards are traded in each year for a bigger size. But for families that have invested in gear, including coats, gloves, etc., finding an outlet for upcycling those items can be challenging, which creates a great opportunity for kids of any age to collect the items from friends and neighbors to give to families in our community who might not be able to afford new snow gear for their children this year.

While most of our schools hold coat drives or have bins in their entryways to accept winter gear around this time each year, I’ve pulled together a few additional places where coats and ski items can be taken directly.

The Christian Center of Park City (CCPC) accepts gently used items for resale at their stores in Park City and Heber, with specific drop-off hours and locations listed here. Clothing and recreation/sports equipment are included in their list of Top 5 Donation Needs, along with a list of unacceptable donations. Many locals (and, oftentimes visitors who’ve forgotten some items) rely on the CCPC’s stores to score deals and steals, and the money raised funds their critical programs, including food, mental health, and seasonal worker supports.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Old Town also accepts items for resale at its St. Lawrence Thrift Store in Heber, with drop-off times on Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

According to Heather Sims, Youth Programs Director for Youth Sports Alliance (YSA), which runs the Get Out and Play programs at each school, YSA will accept gently used ski jackets, pants, goggles and mittens. These donations will ensure students who are unable to afford warm and appropriate outerwear for the organization’s amazing programs that introduce hundreds of local students to winter sports will be able to participate. She further noted, however, that YSA has stopped taking helmets this year, and they are unable to accept skis/boards or boots due to both storage and liability issues. Donations of soft goods can be dropped off at CCPC (1283 Deer Valley Drive), Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Items will be distributed to YSA scholarship recipients during Operation Hope later this month. Donations of new items made through YSA’s Amazon Wish List will be delivered directly to their offices.

The Park City High School PTO has set up a donation portal for contributions to the Park City Learning Center (PCLC) at Park City High School, but they are seeking new items to provide students with the appropriate winter attire for their Adventure PE and PCLC Wellness Programs. If you have items that you purchased but never got around to wearing, or if you’re out and about and find a great deal on outwear that will provide students who don’t have the appropriate gear to participate in outdoor programs, this is the opportunity for you! They are accepting items up until Winter Break on Dec. 17, with more info available by clicking here.

In Wasatch County, donations are currently being accepted for the Heber Valley 5th Annual Community Clothing & Toy Exchange, with a drop-off day scheduled for Dec. 3 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Wasatch County Rec Center (345 W. 600 S, #500, Heber City). Donations can also be dropped off in advance at the Wasatch County Health Department, located at 55 South 500 East in Heber City. Community members are then invited in to pick up items they need the following day.

If you’re in Salt Lake, The Road Home shelter accepts gently-used items to help provide warm clothing for individuals seeking emergency shelter and housing assistance, while the Crossroads Urban Center Thrift Store accepts clothing and household essentials, which are then provided at no cost through a voucher program for low-income families. Deseret Industries (the “DI”) accepts donations of used clothing and sporting equipment for resale in their retail locations, with proceeds going to programs that provide job training, career, and technical education, and community grants to underserved populations.

When it comes to giving back to our neighbors, few communities measure up to the Greater Park City area, which is one of the many reasons so many people Choose Park City. Connect with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visiting her website by clicking here to learn about more about the area.