Mittens for Detroit Inc

During this hot month of August, it's hard to remember how cold it is in the winter. For a moment, think about how uncomfortable your hands get when you don't have gloves on as you walk from your car to your office. Imagine how children feel when they arrive at school with hands so cold that they hurt, not ready to learn, turn pages in a book, hold a pen, type on a keyboard. Imagine the veteran who is walking from a shelter or his apartment, taking the QLine, and all the while his hands are deep into his jacket pockets as he tries to shield them from the biting cold. There's a woman who might look similar to your grandma who has to use plastic bags on her hands when she goes out to try to avoid frostbite. These are true situations in Detroit and the rest of Michigan. And many people in the Rocket Community have been part of warming the hearts and hands of thousands since 2013.

Mittens for Detroit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that collects, purchases and distributes new mittens and gloves to children, teens, and adults in need in Detroit, Michigan, and other nearby underserved cities. Since its start in 2010, more than one-quarter million pairs have been collected and distributed. More than 100 Community Collection Partners host public and private efforts that bring in about 25,000 pairs a year. Our Distribution Partners get pairs on hands at nearly 100 schools, shelters, homeless programs, veterans' group, senior centers, medical facilities, and other programs that serve those in need. This is an excellent example of the community coming together to provide warmth for those would otherwise be braving the cold winter with cold hands. You have shown over and over again that you care and you want to make a difference

Mittens matter. You know that. You show up year after year to help sort, count, and box up the thousands of pairs of new mittens and gloves into our office. Our volunteer opportunity – The Big Sort – is a chance for you to put your hands on the pairs and help get these pairs out on hands fast. Being located in the basement of the First National Building, this is a convenient, easy and fun place to volunteer!

Please consider participating in one of the Rocket Community Challenge Big Sorts offered as volunteer opportunities as part of the Challenge. If you haven't been there yet, this is a great opportunity to lend a hand!

This is our ninth Community Challenge, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to ask you to help. Your donations will allow us to purchase NEW, WARM, DURABLE mittens and gloves for kids, teens, and adults in need in and around Detroit. Your decision to donate will help those kids arrive at school ready to learn, that veteran be able to be comfortable on the way to work and the rest of the day, and that woman who might look like your grandma have dignity and comfort with beautiful new gloves.

Thank you for your support year after year. We are so grateful to you always.