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Bundling UP: ‘Spread Goodness Day’ founder spearheading initiative to provide warm clothing

Spread Goodness Day founder Anna Dravland, left, and Bennett Media Group’s Christopher Lemkuil pose outside the Bennett Media Group offices at 313 W. Washington Street in Marquette. Dravland is spearheading “Bundle UP MQT,” which will provide the community with a chance to pick up free winter clothing at Harlow Park on Saturday, Jan. 23. Bennett Media Group is accepting donations for the event at its offices. (Photo courtesy of Anna Dravland)

MARQUETTE — Take a stroll through Harlow Park in downtown Marquette on Jan. 23, and maybe pick up some warm winter clothing along the way.

That’s the goal Anna Dravland hopes to achieve through “Bundle UP MQT,” a new initiative the “Spread Goodness Day” founder is taking on to keep her community warm this winter.

The idea originated from the “Spread Sunshine Gang,” a nonprofit organization based in Bloomington, Minnesota, that aims to spread kindness and pay it forward while creating events that allow others to do the same.

Dravland is one of 15 “Sunshine Ambassadors” for the group, and now she’s bringing one of its initiatives right here to Marquette.

“I’ve been following them for sometime and they were looking for ambassadors,” she said. “In Minnesota they hold an event called ‘Bundle Up, MN’ and asked me if I’d be willing to do it in my community.”

From now until Friday, Jan. 22, donations of new or used winter clothing such as jackets, hats, gloves and socks will be accepted at three locations around Marquette County. Used clothing should be in good, clean condition.

Then on Saturday, Jan. 23, the community can come to Harlow Park and pick up what they need from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., no questions asked.

“It was a no brainer,” Dravland said on agreeing to coordinate the event. “It’s very simplistic and simple to execute. The community from now until Jan. 22 can donate clothing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on that Saturday, we’re going to put ‘Spread Sunshine’ labels on the clothes and lay them all over the place at Harlow Park.”

After Dravland and other volunteers dress the park in clothing, they’ll be heading home for the remainder of the day. Why? Dravland said she wants people to feel as comfortable as possible when picking up clothes.

“Nobody is going to come out, nobody will be watching you,” she said. “Anybody can come and take whatever they need to keep themselves and their families warm. You don’t have to be homeless or poor, the only thing you need to do is stay warm. Anybody and everybody can come.”

After the event concludes at 6 p.m., any leftover clothing items will be collected by volunteers and donated to a variety of local nonprofits.

Dravland said the item she’s hoping to see donated the most are warm socks, but any warm clothing donations will be accepted.

“My personal mission is to get some really nice warm socks donated,” she said. “If people are interested in donating, we encourage them to go to local businesses like Down Wind Sports or Getz’s to purchase those items and help keep our community warm.”

Dravland added that it’s unclear how many items have been donated so far, but two Gwinn-area businesses, ModelTots and Dis n’ Dat, have already stepped up to the plate with an array of items.

“They’ve always been involved with helping our community,” she said. “When I asked them to help out with this, they were ready, willing and able.”

Donations can be dropped off at Bennett Media Group located at 313 W. Washington St. in Marquette from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A drop box is located outside of its doors to allow for contactless donations.

Donations will also be accepted at ModelTots and Dis n’ Dat located in Gwinn.

If you would like to donate but are unable to access the donation sites, or if you would like to volunteer, call Dravland at 906-362-1689. Dravland says for those unable to reach a donation site, they’ll try their best to get volunteers out to you.

For more information on Bundle UP MQT, search for the event page on Facebook titled “Bundle UP Mqt,” or give Dravland a call. For more information on Minnesota’s Spread Sunshine Gang, visit www.thespreadsunshinegang.org.

“There are so many ways that we can put good into our community, especially right now,” Dravland said. “I think we need to be really proactive about finding ways to give back to our community. We have an amazing community that’s been knocking it out of the park forever and ever. This world is crazy and I want to combat it with goodness. That’s where my heart is.”

Ryan Spitza can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is rspitza@miningjournal.net.

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