Warm The Children effort ramps up as temperatures fall

Together with hundreds of individuals, service groups, and organizations, two key partners - the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and United Bank and Trust - contribute generously to the program.

This season, as a community, we will work toward a goal of raising $250,000 and serving 3,000 kids.

A commitment to integrity makes this program special. All overhead costs are covered by AnnArbor.com, so every dollar donated is a dollar that is spent in our community on clothing for local children.

These children do not receive serviceable hand-me-downs. They do not dig through bins of irregular and overstocked items. They go to a store with their families, and a volunteer personal shopper, to buy $90 worth of new winter items. These 3,000 children will have the opportunity to choose warm clothing that they will want to wear all winter long.

There are a number of ways that you can help:

• Donate. If you would like to contribute to Warm the Children, you can mail in the form printed in the newspaper, visit www.annarbor.com/warmthechildren, or call the Warm The Children hotline at 734-623-2525. Donations are also accepted at any United Bank and Trust branch in Washtenaw County.
• Volunteer. You can give in a meaningful way even if you cannot afford to support the effort financially. Warm The Children works with volunteers who offer their time as personal shoppers to assist the recipient families. Each year, AnnArbor.com receives many notes and phone calls sharing stories of gratitude from recipients and volunteer shoppers alike. Sharing in the joy of the children and their parents has become a cherished winter tradition for many of the volunteers who help the families with their purchases. If you have an hour or two to help out with this effort, contact Warm The Children via the hotline, Web site, or coupon listing below.
• Spread the word. Do you know a family that could benefit from this program? Participation is based on need, and referrals are given through school and community social workers. Do you know of a group that is looking for a special way to give back to the community this season? Suggest they create an event to raise funds for Warm The Children.

We all want to give to people in need in a way that feels meaningful. As winter approaches, you can help by fulfilling this basic need for financially stressed families in our communities.