Help your neighbors stay warm this winter
The unseasonable warm weather has restricted the number of winter items donated to keep local children warm during the 26th annual Snug Hugs for Kids clothing drive sponsored by Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops.
Donations are needed and should fit children ages newborn to 18 years old. Items should be delivered by Dec. 13 at a Merlin 200,000 Miles Shop in Illinois or Wisconsin in exchange for a $5 Merlin gift certificate or a Chicago Wolves kid's ticket voucher, while supplies last.
The most needed items are coats, boots, hats and gloves.
Your generosity will protect the children from the snow and winds that come in January and February. All winter items benefit the children served by Children's Home + Aid, a leading provider of quality programs and services to families in need. More than 40,000 children and families will struggle to stay warm during the upcoming winter months.
On Dec. 14, Merlin franchisees, corporate staff and vendor partners will deliver the donations to strategically located Children's Home + Aid Family centers. More than 30 Merlin vans and vendor trucks, such as Chicago Wolves, AM 560, WDRV, will form a caravan to deliver an estimated 10 tons of clothing.
"With the blustery months fast approaching, many families will need assistance to provide their children the necessary winter clothing to allow them to attend school or play outside. A donation warms the hands and hearts of the local recipient," said Penny McDowell, Merlin 200,000 Miles director of marketing.
For more than 130 years, Children's Home + Aid has been responding to the changing needs of disadvantaged children and families in Illinois through adoption, foster care, youth support and other social services.
Additional information is available at www.childrenshomeandaid.org.
Since starting the in-shop clothing drive Oct. 24, Snug Hugs for Kids has used the following programs to support its efforts:
• Warm Hands & Hearts Little Red Mitten is a fund raising campaign to help sustain Children's Home + Aid services and programs threatened by funding cuts. You can purchase a paper mitten for $1 in a Merlin Shop or visit www.merlins.com/donate to make an online donation.
• The Crochet & Knit-A-Thon recruits crafters nationwide to donate their time, materials and talents to hand craft clothing for Children's Home + Aid. Donations can be made to your local Merlin Shop.
• Kids Helping Kids recruits children to collect and donate as a group to earn a collectible patch. Groups that participate include Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts, church, school and youth organizations.