WARMINGTON: DON CHERRY CLEARS HIS CLOSET TO RAISE CASH FOR PET RESCUE

Just call this show Coach’s Closet!

Yes, Don Cherry has cleaned out his clothes’ closet and some pets will be rescued as a result of it.

“I was going through all of these great suits and I was thinking what could I do with them?” Grapes said Friday.

He wanted to do something positive. Helping save some pets immediately came to mind. People are always asking what he would do with his colourful suits, shirts and ties, seen for decades on Coach’s Corner, and Cherry thought maybe an auction with all the money going to rescuing pets would be a good idea.

“I called John Corallo, owner of The Coop,” said Grapes.

His iconic tailor loved the idea and took carriage of getting the 86-year-old’s famous suits ready for auction. Just like that the Coach’s Closet fundraiser for the Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation was born.

Coach’s Closet bidding starts on Canada Day, July 1, by going to The Coop’s web site and clicking on “adopt, don’t shop.”

Don said it was also fun to put on some of the suits, which brought him back to those fun days.

“I couldn’t believe some of them still fit,” he said joking.

Going through the clothing was a cathartic endeavour for Grapes, who decided while staying inside during the pandemic that it was time to start going through his wardrobe.

“Over 40 years there sure was a lot of stuff,” said Don.

If you go on the site you can see the items he chose.

“There’s a lot of memories and stories that go with each suit,” Grapes said. “Everywhere I go, someone will tell me which suit or tie was their favourite. Some of those that people mention to me are in this auction.”

There’s also some neat hockey memorabilia, including a signed puck from Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner and Corallo has even made some special Grapes wardrobe matching COVID-19 safety masks.

Don said he hopes people enjoy the suits and items and also feel as good as he does that their bid will go to raise cash to help vulnerable animals.

“The foundation is about saving abused dogs or cats or any pet,” said Grapes. “All of the money we raise in this auction, and I mean 100% of it, will go to help animals. I get very upset when I read about abused animals. I can’t fathom why anybody would hurt one.”

Known for his love of dogs, and for having a famous bull terrier named Blue, Cherry has worked hard over the years to assist efforts to get wounded pets back on their feet.  He has a bunch of rescue dogs himself. His daughter Cindy, president of the Don Cherry’s Pet Rescue Foundation, said countless pets will benefit from this.

“Cindy does so much charity and cares like I do about animals,” he said.

She told me she was thrilled with her dad’s idea and is looking forward to sharing the auction items online Wednesday.

“It’s good that dad cleaned out his closet but I have to tell you, he’s got a lot more stuff,” she said laughing.

Who knows, if there’s a demand for these legendary and historical fashions, perhaps there will be a second closet purge? If it helps some pets, it’s possible.

Don, who has been enjoying doing his podcast with Cindy, his son and his grandson Del, said he’s glad to be able to connect with his audience and is pleased that some of this wardrobe will be cherished by his fans. We are going to talk hockey later in the summer but for now, Grapes did have one demand in me writing this column.

“Please tell the police to hang tough,” said Cherry. “I want them to know we all love them.”