Project Keep Kids Warm volunteer Teresa Peterson, who is an exchange student from Taiwan, brings a bag full of winter clothing to a waiting car during a neighborhood collection during last year’s event. The program will change this year. Collection boxes will be provided at local churches and schools instead of the curbside bag collection in previous years. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

MARQUETTE — A chill is in the air. Winter is fast approaching. And almost as assuredly as the cold weather beginning in October and November, local volunteers in western Marquette County will be at the ready for the 10th annual Project Keep Kids Warm winter clothing drive.

“In our 10th year, it is only appropriate that we thank our steadfast volunteers and all our donors in previous years,” program coordinator Dick Derby said. “This effort would not have been as successful if it wasn’t for them.”

The project each year has provided the children of 300 western Marquette County families with much-needed winter clothing, Derby said.

Volunteers and contributors can expect some changes to the program, according to an Aug. 22 press release sent by Derby.

In years past, bags with brightly colored labels were delivered to homes in Negaunee, Ishpeming and Republic in late September with collection in early October. That will not be the case this year.

Instead, while the project will again focus on new or gently used winter clothing including coats, boots, gloves, mittens and hats for infants through teens, the 10th annual winter clothing drive will set up collection drop-boxes with posted instructions at churches, schools and businesses throughout the area.

The change, Derby said, should streamline volunteer coordination and increase convenience for donors so they don’t have to adhere to the strict timeline included with the curbside pick-up.

Donors are asked to watch for media coverage that will detail where the collection boxes will be placed between Sept. 23 and Oct. 9.

Then, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10, volunteers will be needed to transport donated items and sort the clothing onto designated tables at the Ishpeming Armory.

Finally, the clothing will be available for distribution to families in need from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 12.

Year by year, Derby has said the need for winter clothing “does not go away.”

“This is neighbors helping neighbors,” Derby said. “These communities always seem to step up, and we are hoping for the same level of involvement this year.”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.