Duane Hicks
After taking a break last Christmas, the “Mitts for Kids” campaign has returned.
Local shoppers can help ensure no child will have cold hands this winter by donating to the cash collection boxes that have been distributed to local businesses.
Organizer Melissa Gushulak said 15-20 boxes have been distributed to numerous businesses in the downtown area, and that shoppers should keep an eye out for them when they have their wallets out at the till.
(The decorated boxes are recognizable by a “Mitts for Kids” sticker on them).
Gushulak said the collection boxes will be out until about Dec. 16, after which time she will use the money to buy children’s mittens from The Bargain Shop, which once again has agreed to give her a discount.
This year, Gushulak will be donating mittens to the Kenora-Rainy River Districts Child & Family Services’ “Adopt-An-Angel” program.
These will go to district children ranging from infants to teens.
Gushulak said she’s hoping to raise enough money to buy at least 100 pairs of new mittens, but obviously would like to be able to buy as many as are needed.
She added if anyone wants to donate new, store-bought mittens for children rather than donate cash, they can reach her at 270-4875 (she even will come to pick them up).
As well, Gushulak is running the drive by herself again this year. But anyone wishing to help her out can call her at the phone number above (leave a message if she’s not home).
“If anybody has any new ideas or wants to come aboard, it’s just myself so that would be great,” she remarked.
Gushulak, who last organized the “Mitts for Kids” campaign in 2009 and then decided to bring it back after taking a year off, is hopeful the community will be supportive of the cause.
Gushulak also spearheaded the “Mitts for Kids” drive in 2005-07.
Prior to that, she helped out Jan Hall-Bosma, who had started the initiative here back in 2000.
When asked why she keeps organizing “Mitts for Kids,” Gushulak said she wanted to keep alive the tradition started by Hall-Bosma.
“Mitts are not much but I work for the school board, too, so I see many, many children come to school without proper attire,” she added.
“Whether the mitts last all winter, or a couple weeks, at least I know their hands are warm [for that time].
“They needs hats, too, and hopefully I can make it bigger and do something like that but take it one stride at a time, I guess,” Gushulak reasoned.
