Bennedict Mathurin’s family gives Montreal North residents new winter coats [Video]

Some 300 Montrealers received an early holiday present on Saturday – a brand new winter jacket, courtesy of an NBA player and his family.

It’s a gesture rooted in community spirit.

Basketball player Bennedict Mathurin and his family gifted winter coats to residents of Montreal North.

While the NBA player couldn’t be at the event, his sister, Jennifer Mathurin, said it’s all about helping the community.

“Growing up here, we used to be part of the community and be people going in and getting resources when we didn’t have any, so we just wanted to do the same and give back,” she said.

Some 260 residents aged as young as two years old got their new coats. They’re all members of Directions For All, a non-profit organization that supports Montreal North residents.

Jennifer Mathurin, the popular NBA player’s sister, says her family wanted to give back to the neighbourhood they grew up in. (Laurence Brisson Dubreuil / …