While this month has brought warmer, milder weather than we typically expect here in the Upper Peninsula, it’s still critical to bundle up and practice cold-weather safety.

However, not everyone has a warm coat, boots, gloves, hat and scarf, or the resources to purchase cold-weather gear, which isn’t always cheap.

And with months of cold, snowy weather ahead of us, a lack of winter apparel can be not only uncomfortable, but dangerous. It’s not just about “being cold,” as frostbite and hypothermia are serious — and sometimes even life-altering or deadly — conditions that can arise if a person is exposed to cold weather for a prolonged period without the proper protection.

Due to this, we were glad to hear that Anna Dravland, the founder of Spread Goodness Day, is working on a new initiative called Bundle UP MQT.

Essentially, Dravland and her fellow organizers are collecting donations of new or used winter clothing — such as jackets, hats, gloves and socks — and will be offering at Harlow Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 23 for anyone to come and pick up, anonymous and free of charge.

“Nobody is going to come out, nobody will be watching you,” Dravland 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.”

Dravland told the Journal the item she’s hoping to see donated the most is warm socks, but any winter clothing donations will be accepted.

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.

We hope our readers will consider donating winter apparel if they have the means, as warm socks, a winter jacket or a pair of boots can make a friend or neighbor’s winter much safer and more comfortable.

And perhaps most importantly, we also hope that anyone in need of cold-weather gear considers stopping by Harlow Park on Jan. 23, as this event is all about making sure our community stays safe and warm throughout this long U.P. winter.

Overall, we’re glad to see yet another example of our community’s generosity, as initiatives like Bundle UP MQT are much-needed bright spots during a challenging time in history.