Giving To Those In Need: The Great Lakes Mitten Campaign

Have warm mittens laying around that you’re no longer using? Donate them to a good cause.

Travel Wisconsin, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Pure Michigan, are kicking off a campaign to collect new or gently used mittens. Did you ever notice that Wisconsin is shaped like a mitten? So is its neighbor, Michigan. They make quite a pair (cue tin can laughter).

Throughout the month of December and into January, anyone can drop off mittens (or gloves) at state-wide welcome centers and visitors bureaus. Wisconsin or Michigan residents can also drop of mittens at their local chamber of commerce. Mittens will be passed along to charities and those in need.

Some of the drop-off sites include:

• Beloit Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center located at the I-39 Northbound/I-90 Westbound Rest Area in Beloit

• Kenosha Area Visitor Information Center located at 10519 120th Ave. in Pleasant Prairie

• La Crosse Area Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center located at French Island I-90 Eastbound Rest Area in La Crosse

• Marinette Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center located at 1680 Bridge St. in Marinette

• Platteville Area Chamber of Commerce and Travel Wisconsin Welcome Center located at 275 West Business Hwy 151 in Platteville

• Prairie du Chien Regional Tourism Center located at 211 S. Main St. in Prairie du Chien

• Superior-Douglas County Welcome Center located at 305 Harborview Pkwy. in Superior

So, if you’re traveling throughout the region during the holidays, bring along some mittens and make a pit stop that matters. Donations will be accepted through January 15, 2012. Hey Minnesota…you should jump on board, you’re shaped like an ice-scraper.