As snow and wintry weather moves in, the Mathurin Family Foundation’s second annual winter coat giveaway couldn’t come at a better time.
With the aim to support the population in Montreal North, improve their quality of life, and fight against poverty, they’ve provided 250 local youth from the Un Itinéraire Pour Tous program with coats and essential seasonal items to keep them warm for the chilly months to come.
“It really just started with me and my brother having a conversation about how we should do something to help families who can’t afford a good coat, because sometimes you’ll walk around in Montreal North and you see like kids wearing just a hoodie,” said Jennifer Mathurin, the president of the Mathurin Family Foundation.
“The logo on the on the coat is BM, stands for Bennedict Mathurin which is his personal logo and we thought it would be a great addition to have that on the coat this year just to you know we’ve seen the support that the community had for him being in the playoffs last year and it’s a great accomplishment for him but he kind of wanted to give back and and say hey I’m here with you guys I’m thinking of you. You have a piece of me every day during the winter that’s keeping you warm, so yeah, a nice addition this year,” she added.
Sarah Rose, a winter coat recipient, said, “It’s really beautiful, and I think it’s really great that they give coats to people who may not be able to afford to buy them and help people through the winter. “
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Like NBA Champion Luguentz Dort, who never forgot his roots when he came back to Montreal North with the trophy earlier this summer, the Mathurins are another testament to the strong ties and bond that many athletes who come from the neighbourhood seem to feel.
“The Mathurin family are always here in Montreal North for help, population, and for give back because we know that the family lives here since for a long, long time and after she has to leave to go to the United States for the basket for all the other activities but well at the end of the day always coming back for helping the citizens. So they don’t forget the borough and where we come from,” explained Christine Black, Borough Mayor for Montreal North, who attended the coat giveaway in a show of support.
Mathurin added, “The foundation is here to support the community as much as we can, like we’re a family that fortunately we know where we come from and we want to give back and we’re gonna be here to support everyone.”
According to the Mathurin Family Foundation, more than one in three young people grow up without a mentor – that’s why on top of their annual coat winter coat giveaway, they’re also working with local communities and global leaders to create educational and mentorship activities, as well as sports programs and leadership building initiatives.
“It was so nice that Bennedict Mathurin and Jennifer invited us to Toronto to see the Raptor’s match against the Pacers,” exclaimed Sarah Rose, who was not only the lucky recipient of a coat on Monday evening, but who has also taken part in other activities and outings the foundation has to offer.
Mathurin proudly described the events she’s had the pleasure of sharing with local youth from the neighbourhood: “We took a hundred kids to the national soccer game against Haiti versus Canada. We have a women in sports summit so I’m big into women in sport and giving back and empowering women in the field of sports, providing scholarships, trying to fight food insecurity. But the main goal of the foundation is to provide access to education and sports because that’s what helped us.”
While the winter coat giveaway might be in its early stages, Mathurin says the feedback from the community confirms the event is making a difference, and ensures it’s here to stay.
“We’re trying to do this for another, you know, five ten years,” she added.
