Drive aims to keep kids warm, dry at school

A mitten, glove and hat drive kicks off next week at Superior schools. Drop boxes will be set up in the office of each school from Monday through Nov. 5. The drive, conducted by the Superior Federation of Teachers, aims to keep kids warm this winter. There’s an ongoing need for the items at the schools, said school staff, especially during early and late winter.

“Ten to 12 kids a day come in asking for hats and mittens,” said Danielle Hammond, secretary at Lake Superior Elementary School. At Bryant Elementary School, about 10 students a day ask to borrow mittens or hats. Some forget their own hat and mittens at home or lose them. Others borrow a pair of mittens because their own is wet. Some students just don’t have any.

Churches, sororities, teachers and staff lend a hand to stock elementary schools with mittens and hats.

“Everything my children outgrow I wash and bring in,” said Rita Dahl, secretary for Northern Lights Elementary School. Teachers and staff also pick up snow pants and other items on sale for the school to hand out.

But the need is great. Some of the hats and mittens schools give out each day are returned, others aren’t. At Northern Lights, Dahl said, they have already given out 10 jackets to students who needed them.

“It’s always great when they have these drives,” Willmore said.

Both new and lightly used items are accepted. Staff at the schools said boots, coats and snow pants would also be appreciated. Items donated at each school will stay at the school, according to Tracey Walt, a teacher at Great Lakes Elementary School. The teachers are requesting members of the public drop off items at their nearest schools. Each school will distribute the items as needed, Walt said.

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