Second drop-off location for ‘Mitts for Kids’ drive

Those wanting to donate new mitts, hats, or scarves to the annual “Mitts for Kids” drive can drop off items either at the Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce office or Movie Gallery this year.
“Mitts for Kids” organizer Melissa Gushulak said Monday that Movie Gallery has come on board for the drive, and anyone dropping off items there can get a “rent one, get one free” coupon as a sort of thank you for giving to the cause.
She also noted 40-50 collection boxes for cash donations have been put out at locations across town. The money raised will be used to buy mitts.
Gushulak added she’s been given a large quantity of yarn, and that ambitious knitters are more than welcome to contact her to get some to make mitts, hats, or scarves for this year’s drive.
She did say no one has contacted her yet about getting yarn. “I might have to learn how to knit,” Gushulak laughed.
Besides having drop boxes out, Gushulak, along with 2007 Fun in the Sun Queen Holly Strain, First Princess Paula Vangel, and Second Princess Rachel Dutton, also will be taking part in the 50th-annual “Parade of Lights” on Saturday, Nov. 24 to collect cash and mitten donations.
As in previous years, donations of new hand-made or store-bought mitts, winter hats, and scarves will be given to the local Salvation Army for its Christmas hampers.
“A successful year for us is basically covering all the hampers at the Salvation Army. As long as we have enough for the hampers, it’s a good year,” Gushulak remarked.
In the past, the number of mitts supplied for hampers has ranged from 200-400.
If there’s a surplus of donations, leftover items will be donated to district schools for “mitt kits” (i.e., spare mitts kids can use if they forgot theirs at home or don’t have any).
The “Mitts for Kids” drive has to be wrapped up by the first week of December—in time for the Salvation Army to put together its Christmas hampers.
For more information, call Gushulak 275-8526 (before 8 p.m.) and 274-5206 (after 8 p.m.)