By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
Ridgetown Independent News
On the surface, donating used linens and mattress covers may not seem like headline news.
But to the Reach Out Chatham-Kent (R.O.C.K) support group, this is a great news story.
The University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus housing department will get new bedding for the 248 Steckley Hall residence for the 2025-26 school year. Instead of just tossing the old sheets in the trash, Kennedy Shadd, student life co-ordinator, and Emily Vollans, front desk clerk, had an idea.
“We thought R.O.CK. Missions would be a good place to donate them,” Vollans said. “We know the good things they do in the community, so we thought they could use them.”
Renee Geniole, Executive Director at R.O.C.K., was amazed by the Ag School’s gesture.
“This is huge,” Geniole said. “We get a lot of blankets and sleeping bags donated, which are especially impactful in the wintertime. But to get this size of donation – and it’s almost all brand new – is definitely out of the ordinary.”
In fact, Geniole didn’t mind that it took two trips from Chatham to Ridgetown to collect the items.
“We couldn’t believe it; there were like 250 to 300 sheets and covers,” she said.
Geniole said the bedding will be distributed throughout Chatham-Kent to those in need.
Along with their benevolent support of those living in outdoor encampments, R.O.C.K. supports people living below the poverty line in their own homes, motels, and shelters.
“We do a substantial outreach every week, not just outdoor locations; we go to motels and homes to visit people to make sure they get a meal and who might not economically be able to go out and get a new set of sheets,” she said. “We’ll also work with our community partners who support people in shelters, such as the Victoria Place municipal shelter.
“There are so many people below the poverty line who live day to day; many are almost in survival mode when you’re not even sure where you’re going to get a bite to eat,” stated Geniole. “A clean sheet, a clean blanket … any kind of clean bedding … can impact someone’s mental health.”
Geniole said one of the motels they visit is the former Bateman Inn on Victoria Road at the 401, where several people live in poverty.
She said if anyone knows a person who needs this type of support, they can contact R.O.C.K. Missions at 519-351-1450 or by email [email protected]
Individuals who would like to seek assistance on their own can simply visit the Ridgetown Library, as all Chatham-Kent library branches can connect to R.O.C.K. Missions.
Geniole said R.O.C.K. is always grateful for any donations from the public.
“Whenever someone asks what is needed the most, hygiene products – especially feminine ones – is at the top of the list,” she said. “Even items like a new toothbrush or a bar of soap, little things that you and I take for granted, go a long way.”
She said snack foods, such as granola bars and individual fruit cups, are also high up on the list of needs. Monetary donations are welcome.
If you would like to make any kind of donation, visit www.reachoutck.com.
