Visit Middleton’s 2024 Winter Clothing Drive Collects 699 Donations

Visit Middleton’s annual winter clothing drive, “Keeping Neighbors Warm,” concluded on Tuesday, Nov. 12, collecting a total of 699 winter outerwear items, which surpassed last year’s total.“We decided to run this campaign a few weeks earlier than previous years to get these winter items into hands sooner and the response was outstanding ,” said Laura Portz, the campaign’s coordinator and convention and events services manager for Visit Middleton. “We are so pleased to see our donation count increase from last year and truly appreciate the generosity and support from the community and the donation drop-off businesses.”

This was the third year Visit Middleton, the City of Middleton’s tourism department, hosted “Keeping Neighbors Warm”; however, it was the nineth year the office participated in a clothing drive, formerly known as Big Bundle Up. This year’s clothing drive broke 2023’s donation total of 623 items.

The 2024 “Keeping Neighbors Warm” clothing drive took place Oct. 22 – Nov. 12, with drop-off locations at Keva Sports Center, Middleton Public Library, Willy Street Co-op West, and the Middleton Visitors Center. Residents and visitors donated winter outerwear items for all ages, including winter coats, snow pants, hats, gloves, scarves and boots. Donations were picked up weekly and dropped off at WayForward Resources, previously known as Middleton Outreach Ministry, for distribution.

“We are amazed by the huge donation of nearly 700 items to WayForward’s Clothing Center,” said Leslie Albrecht Huber, strategic engagement director for WayForward Resources. “Every person in our community needs winter gear – but we all know how expensive it these can be. When families can access winter wear for free, they can focus their limited resources on paying rent and other basic necessities. Donations like these help make sure families and children can stay warm as winter weather approaches.”

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