As Halloween approaches, Upper Peninsula residents are all too aware that winter is also right around the corner. And right on schedule, Project Keep Kids Warm is returning for its 14th year of providing winter clothing for local children.

Project Keep Kids Warm is looking for donations for this year’s drive. The volunteer-based organization depends on the support of local individuals and businesses for its annual effort, with 100% of the donations going to provide clothing to those in need.

Project Keep Kids Warm project coordinator Dick Derby says that the program provided winter items to more than 370 kids across many multiple area school districts.

“One of the great traditions in the Upper Peninsula is neighbors helping neighbors,” Derby said. “I’ve lived a lot of places in the country and I’ve never seen anything as profound as that. People are willing to step up and recognize that it might be someone next door or down the road that needs a little extra help and they are happy to do that.”

The project partners with school districts to help identify kids who may be in need of winter clothing and will connect with family members to find out which items are needed and get sizing information. After that, the group will coordinate to distribute the clothing.

“They are keeping a lookout for those kids that are showing up when the weather turns in tennis shoes and a sweatshirt when they should be in snow pants, jackets, boots and hats,” Derby said. “We make a connection. It’s all anonymous.

“No amount is too small or too great. If a lot of people give a little bit it really makes this work.”

Those interested in donating can do so by either making a financial contribution or by purchasing new winter clothing for children from infants to age 18.

Donation items can be dropped off at Wesley United Methodist Church at 801 Hemlock St. in Ishpeming or at Immanuel Lutheran Church, located at 521 U.S. Highway 41 in Negaunee.

Those who wish to make a monetary contribution can send a check that is addressed to Wesley United Methodist Church to P.O. Box 342, Ishpeming, MI 49849. Checks must be marked with a tag note reading “KKW” in order to make sure they are added to the fund.

We all know that winters in the U.P. can be particularly brutal, especially if you don’t have the proper winter attire. We ask that people who are able to make donations to this project, please do so. Maybe your son or daughter has outgrown last year’s coat, and it’s collecting dust in the closet. There is a little boy or girl out there who would be overjoyed to have it, and it would make their winter a lot more comfortable.

More information about the program can be found online at https://immanuelnegaunee.weebly.com/project-keep-kids-warm.