North Aurora teen collects winter outerwear for homeless

Maddie Bozik didn't know what she was getting into when she started collecting old coats, hats and mittens from her neighbors seven years ago.

"She just wanted something to do for the day. She was bored," said Maddie's mother, Vickie.

But the then 10-year-old North Aurora girl was onto something. In two weeks, she received more than 200 donations.

Now a junior at West Aurora High School, Maddie has a busload of winter outerwear that she brings to various locations, mostly in Kane County, to distribute to people in need.

"I never thought it would get to the size it is today," she said. "Every year I keep wanting to do it."

Kathy Steele, founder and president of Red Caffeine Marketing + Technology in Lombard, said she was inspired by Maddie's work when she met her a few months ago at an award ceremony.

"I was just kind of blown away by somebody as young as her being aware of people who are in need," she said.

Steele wanted to lead her company in a fundraising effort for a local cause around the holidays and suggested supporting Maddie.

The company's employees started a challenge. They agreed to donate $1 to Maddie's Mitten March for every "like" they received on their Facebook page over a two-week period in December.

Steele said the goal was to donate $1,000 to Maddie, but the number of "likes" only amounted to about 800. Regardless, the company presented Maddie with a $1,000 check, more than 20 coats and two boxes full of hats, gloves and scarves earlier this month.

"She's really a humble young lady," Steele said. "She's a little bit shy, but (Maddie and her parents) were really thrilled. They've been getting more and more recognition."

Vickie expressed her gratitude for the donation and said it was heartwarming to "see other adults have faith in Maddie and to see them support her."

Maddie said she hopes to purchase an inventory system with the donation to streamline the process of recording donations through bar codes. Currently, she keeps track of the items with a pen and paper.

Red Caffeine's gift was only the second large donation Maddie has received. Another $1,000 donation was given to her by the Community Foundation last year.

Two years ago, Maddie raised enough money to buy an old school bus from a St. Charles school district. Even though she wasn't old enough to drive, she knew it would be a useful investment for her nonprofit. She has since purchased and installed clothing racks and bins on the bus to hold her donations.

Maddie works closely with the Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry in Aurora, traveling in her bus to their distribution locations to give people a chance to pick out winter gear.

Since the start of this year, Maddie has donated more than 500 pieces of clothing at two distributions. She said that already amounts to more than half of what she handed out in 2015.

Vickie said she is very proud of Maddie's work and encouraged other parents to believe in their children's dreams.

"When your child has an idea don't immediately go, 'No, that's not going to work.' At first I didn't think this was going to be anything," she said.

Although running a nonprofit can be demanding, Maddie said getting to see people so happy to receive a warm coat motivates her to keep doing the work.

"We always need help and donations," Maddie said. "Whatever (anyone) can give is greatly appreciated."

To support Maddie's Mitten March, visit www.facebook.com/maddiesmittenmarch or www.gofundme.com/226k3wr8. The organization collects winter outerwear year round and can arrange pickup and drop-off sites.