Madeline “Maddie” Bozik, 21, of North Aurora, started Maddie's Mitten March when she was 10 years old. This year's annual giveaway of coats, hats, gloves and other winter gear took place in a bus parked outside the North Aurora police station. Behind her are, from left, her father Mark Bozik, sibling Lexie Bozik and mother Vickie Bozik.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Madeline Bozik launched Maddie's Mitten March in 2008, when she was just 10 years old, to collect coats, hats, gloves and other winter apparel and give it to people in need.
Now, more than a decade later and in the midst of a pandemic that has many across the suburbs struggling, her efforts may be more needed than ever.
That was evident Sunday when dozens visited a bus parked outside the North Aurora police station to choose from some of the hundreds of items donated for the cause this year.
“It's been different this year,” Bozik, now 21 and a student at Bradley University, said of organizing the giveaway amid the COVID-19 pandemic and related safety protocols.
Among those on hand to help out was volunteer Laura Dodson of St. Charles.
“I love it, probably my favorite charity that I volunteer for,” she said.
Dozens of people were able to get free coats, hats, gloves and other winter gear Sunday by visiting a bus parked outside the North Aurora police station, as part of the annual Maddie's Mitten March.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
"I love it, probably my favorite charity that I volunteer for," said Laura Dodson of Saint Charles, far left, as she helps people pick out coats and other winter apparel Sunday during Maddie's Mitten March in North Aurora.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Aurora Echebarria of Aurora and her son, Ruben Echebarria, board a bus holding coats, hats, gloves and other winter gear Sunday during Maddie's Mitten March in North Aurora.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald
Vickie Bozik of North Aurora works with volunteer Laura Dodson of Saint Charles on coat selection for a client Sunday during Maddie's Mitten March in North Aurora. The annual event, started in 2008 by then-10-year-old Madeline "Maddie" Bozik of North Aurora, offers free coats, hats, gloves and other winter gear to people in need.
Karie Angell Luc for the Daily Herald