For the ninth year in a row, Wisconsin’s tourism industry is helping to collect new and gently used warm winter gear for those in need.
Since the start of the Big Bundle Up campaign in 2011, Wisconsin residents, visitors and businesses have donated more than 155,000 winter items to charities across the state.
Each year more than 65 sites including Travel Wisconsin Welcome Centers, tourist information centers, businesses and offices are serving as drop-off sites today through Nov. 25.
One of those sites is the Rhinelander Chamber of Commerce where Director Lauren Sackett says they collect the communities offerings...
"It's really easy, they can just drop off the materials at the chamber. We run a tally for the Department of Tourism, we can give them numbers we've collected and and then we forward it on once the program is over...."
Sackett says all types of warm winter clothes are accepted, including hats, mittens, scarves and such. Rhinelander area donations will go to the monthly Warm for Winter Pantry.
In Boulder Junction, a box will be located at 5352 Park Street (Hwy M) for donors to drop off warm clothing items. All items donated at this location will be given to Boulder Junction Food Pantry.
A complete list of locations is available at travelwisconsin.com
