Keeping Neighbors Warm brings in 600-plus donations

Visit Middleton’s winter clothing drive closes after 600-plus donations

MIDDLETON, Wis. — “Keeping Neighbors Warm,” Visit Middleton’s winter clothing drive, ended two weeks ago and with it, more than 600 items were donated.

“We are ever so grateful to the Middleton community for its generosity and we know these donations have been welcome at Middleton Outreach Ministry,” said Mari Olson, director of tourism for Visit Middleton. “Thank you to everyone who donated and to the locations that welcomed those donations for us.”

Visit Middleton, the city’s tourism department, organized a winter weather gear drive Nov. 23-Dec. 21 within the city with drop-off locations at Keva Sports Center, Middleton Public Library, Willy Street Co-op West, and the Middleton Visitor Center. There were 607 items donated, including snow boots, coats, hats, scarves and gloves.

This was the first year for “Keeping Neighbors Warm,” a winter drive replacing Travel Wisconsin’s “Big Bundle Up,” which Middleton participated in for six years before the program ended.

All donations were picked up weekly and given to Middleton Outreach Ministry for distribution.