3,100+ items donated in Wisconsin tourism mitten collection

MADISON -- Wisconsin collected more than 3,100 items in its mitten collection campaign. Those items were donated to more than 50 charities as part of the Great Lakes Mitten Campaign, a joint effort from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism and Pure Michigan.

The campaign invited the public to donate new or gently used mittens to Travel Wisconsin Welcome Centers and participating chambers of commerce or convention and visitors bureaus. Tourism partners donated items to local and community charitable organizations and shelters. Pure Michigan encouraged its residents and travelers to donate items directly to the organization of their choice.

“We are proud of the enthusiastic response and generosity from Wisconsin residents and travelers. This was a great way for two Midwest states to team up and do something positive to help those in need,” Governor Scott Walker said. “We heard countless heartwarming stories about generous people donating their time and resources to this initiative.”

In some cases, mittens were handmade by local individuals and groups. Eighth grade students from LB Clark Middle School in Two Rivers made mittens and hats for the campaign. A 5th grade class at Southport Elementary School in Kenosha created paper mittens to display at the Visitor Information Center. A former Waukesha resident who owns the “The Dairy Godmother” ice cream shop in Alexandria, Va. knitted over 50 mittens and sent them to Travel Wisconsin Welcome Centers in Superior and Platteville. Over 100 mittens were collected at Lambeau Field before the Green Bay Packers playoff game against the New York Giants.