Mitten Drop Aims to Keep Children Safe and Warm
With temperatures continuing to drop, exposure to the cold can cause serious or life-threatening health problems for young children — many of whom must walk several blocks to school.
In an effort to help children stay safe and warm this winter, Mittens for Detroit (MFD), a charity that’s known for warming hearts, two hands at a time, and automaker FCA US LLC will kick off a “mitten drop” December 9 at Dossin Elementary-Middle School. Ultimately, the partnership will provide a new pair of mittens or gloves to more than 26,000 Detroit Public School elementary students.
“From our heads and hearts to our hands, FCA US employees are driven to serve as pillars of our communities,” Brian Harlow, Vice President – Manufacturing, FCA US LLC, said. “The generosity of our employees runs deep and through our continued partnership with Mittens for Detroit, we are committed to providing not only warmth, but dignity and respect for those needing a hand up, especially children.”
FCA US employees donated a record 45,000 pairs of mittens and gloves, giving MFD a huge hand toward its goal of collecting 57,000 pairs of mittens and gloves this season. For the second consecutive year, FCA US is the largest private collection partner, collecting at 13 manufacturing plants across Metro Detroit and its world headquarters and technology center in Auburn Hills.
“We are extremely grateful for our community partnerships such as FCA and Mittens for Detroit. Our students deserve the best education possible and when their broader needs are met we are able to focus on the important work of academics,” said Carol Weaver, Deputy Executive Director of Development and Community Outreach.
Now in its sixth year, MFD distributes new mittens and gloves to children and adults in need through partner agencies, schools, organizations and charities located in Detroit, as well as students in Highland Park and Hamtramck Public Schools.
“Appropriate winter apparel is essential to school success. In fact, it’s very common for teachers to report that after students receive their new mittens and gloves, they are more focused in class, better able to write, hold books, and of course, play in the snow,” Wendy Shepherd, Executive Director, Mittens for Detroit, said. “It’s an honor to be able to work with FCA US and DPS to help children stay safe and warm while they learn and play.”
Founded in November 2010 by actress Erin Cummings (Spartacus: Blood & Sand, Mad Men, Masters of Sex, ABC series Astronaut Wives Club), the inspiration for MFD came from Cummings’s cousin, Kathi Moss, who graciously gave a Halloween trick-or-treater a pair of gloves. Struck by the simplicity and generosity of her cousin’s actions, Cummings founded MFD. In its first five years, MFD has distributed more than 103,000 new pairs of mittens and gloves.
“Every year, Mittens for Detroit continues to grow and expand, helping many more people in need in Detroit,” Erin Cummings, actress and founder of Mittens for Detroit, said. “I am increasingly amazed and humbled by the support that our efforts have generated, and I’m honored to be able to serve so many because of it.”
