Department of Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett recently announed the 8th year of the "Big Bundle Up", the statewide charity initiative encouraging people to donate new or gently used gloves, hats, scarves, coats and other warm winter gear for those in need.
Executive Director of the Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce, Lauren Sackett, outlines how the effort works at their office...
"...We have a dropoff box location in our chamber building, so any of your gently used hats, coats that you don't want or need any more you can drop off at our location. We, in turn, at the end of the intiative on January 2 we will give those items to our local charity Warm For Winter that in turn hands it out to community members who need them...."
Along with Rhinelander, the Chamber of Commerce offices in Boulder Junction, Minocqua, Phelps, Presque Isle and Land O' Lakes are drop off spots. Lauren Sackett says last year they collected just over 200 items.
If you Google The Big Bundle Up it will lead you to a list of collection points. Since 2011, Wisconsin residents, travelers and businesses have contributed nearly 135,000 winter items, which have been donated to charities across the state.
