Each February, downtown Edmonton becomes the focus of a campaign with a deceptively simple goal: collect 1,000 pairs of new underwear for inner-city seniors who too often go without. The Rotary Club of Edmonton was proud to contribute to that effort again this year, joining Operation Friendship Seniors Society (OFSS) and Costco Wholesale to help meet a basic need that is rarely talked about but deeply felt by those it affects.
On February 26, 2026, J.J. Tremblay, Chair of the club's Community Service Committee, met Jimmy Morrisson, Community Relations Manager at OFSS, at Costco Wholesale #258 on 91 Street to make the club's contribution to the 2026 #OperationUndies Winter Campaign. The Rotary Club of Edmonton's donation of $503.75 purchased 43 pairs of underwear — a mix of men's and women's sizes — that will be distributed directly to seniors in need in the downtown core.
Operation Friendship Seniors Society has served Edmonton's inner city since 1969, offering housing, outreach, and community support to vulnerable adults aged 55 and older who face poverty, homelessness, and isolation. Through programs such as the McCauley Seniors Drop-In Centre, the Community Distribution Centre, and five housing facilities, OFSS works without judgment to improve the quality of life of clients who might otherwise fall through the cracks. The Operation Undies campaign, fronted by the now-familiar Captain Commando character, addresses one of the most under-donated yet essential clothing items in any inner-city outreach program. New underwear is something most of us take for granted; for a senior living rough or in transitional housing, it is a matter of comfort, hygiene, and dignity.
The club extends its sincere thanks to Jimmy Morrisson and the OFSS team for their tireless work on behalf of inner-city seniors, and to the management and staff at Costco Wholesale #258 for partnering on the purchase and welcoming the campaign into their store. The photograph below captures representatives from OFSS, Costco store management, and the Chair of the Rotary Club of Edmonton's Community Service Committee at the handover.
Service projects like this one are a core part of what the Rotary Club of Edmonton does, and they are made possible by the time, talents, and generosity of our members. If you would like to learn more about the club, our community partners, or how to get involved, we'd love to welcome you at one of our weekly lunch meetings at the Chateau Lacombe. To learn more about Operation Friendship Seniors Society or to make your own donation, visit ofss.org.