I was freezing to death. I was sure of it. And almost as scary, my Mom was going to be so angry with me. My sister and I had been tobogganing on the big hill at the schoolyard not far from the house. We’d been out too long and it was almost dark. The hill was icy, so fast, it was a scary amount of fun as the toboggan skidded us down the hill, over “the jump” and right into the frozen creek. The problem? That creek wasn’t so frozen anymore. In an instant, I was soaked. Soaked right through my bright pink snowsuit, wool mitts, and hat. It wasn’t a long walk back to the house, but before we made it home my coat was stiff with cold, my hands were aching and my hair was as frozen as the tears on my face. I will never forget that kind of cold. Chilled to the bone, an ache that takes hours to warm up from, a brittle pain from the inside out. Canadian winters are unforgiving, harsh, and long.
This week the sun is setting a little earlier, the mornings are cooler, and that wind feels brisk instead of warm. Mother Nature is sending us a message; winter shall soon be upon us. Will you be ready to battle the cold? I will be! It’s time to set those alarm clocks ahead a few minutes, allowing extra time for warm nourishing breakfasts, a moment to pull on extra layers of clothes before we run out the door and dare I say it, shovel the drive-way of winter slush and snow. The coldest season of the year is upon us and we all want to make sure our little families are prepared for all the wild weather that comes with it. As furnaces kick in for the first time, the Mama’s of Canada know it’s time to prepare. We ensure hats and mitts are washed and ready to go. Do a check to see if boots still fit, and head out to grab new winter coats to help get through the cruelest season of the year.
Mom’s aren’t the only ones who want to be sure families are ready to start their mornings off on the right foot. For over 100 years Quaker has been helping Canadians have a warm start to their day. When families start their mornings with Quaker products, it nourishes, warms and prepares them for the day ahead. When those first snowflakes fall, we will be ready. Warm breakfasts to start our day, cozy coats to keep us comfortable against the harsh winter weather. But what about the newcomers to our country? Do they know what to expect of their first true Canadian winter? Are they prepared for the snow, the sleet, the unforgiving cold?
This year it is expected that approximately 200,000 newcomers will move to our country and experience the extreme cold of their first Canadian winter. But, for many who are new to this country and without the right resources, finding comfort during our winter months is one of their biggest challenges. And this can be a barrier to getting a good start to the day, and ultimately feeling comfortable in a new country. Can you imagine moving here and not being prepared for our winter?
The shocking statistic is that there are over 100,000 newcomers who identify as in-need each year. Quaker wants to help make a difference in their lives by providing them with a warm coat to help prepare for the winter, the best part is….. you can help! We can all help provide a #WarmWelcome to the newcomers of our community, and it’s truly so simple.
Starting this October, every purchase of specially marked Quaker products helps give the gift of a warm winter coat to a newcomer in-need. So the next time you do your grocery shopping look for those specially marked boxes of Quaker products and pick one up, help provide a #WarmWelcome today. Are you up for the challenge? Let’s help make this winter, a warm one.
This is a great idea
This is a great idea! Kudos to you Quaker!
This is a great idea everyone deserves a warm coat
It makes such a difference to feeling at home somewhere, being warm and well fed.
Skating on ponds during winter i have taken a dip or two and your right it freezes you right to the bone with hours of trying to reheat the body.
I’ve never had instant oatmeal. We used to make it from scratch and then eat it with golden syrup and butter, that was so yummy. I’d love to try the Maple and brown sugar one, sounds good. 🙂
Quaker is a name I trust. This is a great cause and warm coats are much needed.
Our winters are cold and can be severe so I think everyone deserves a warm coat and a #warmwelcome.
Such a good idea.
This is a great idea and will help raise lots of money!
I love this good cause that Quaker Oats helps with. I think everyone should have a warm coat and a warm welcome. #WarmWelcome
I remember my family eating porridge (oatmeal) a lot when I was a child. I’d even make it in the evening as a treat for us all. There was no such thing as instant back in those days though. I’d love to try the Maple & Brown Sugar instant oatmeal, that sound delicious.
Yup. HARSH is the right word to describe our winters! Glad Quaker is lending a hand to newcomers with this! I love instant oatmeal!!!
This is such a great way to raise funds for a warm winter coat to someone in need
This is a very good cause; everyone deserves a warm coat.