Winter will soon return to the Keweenaw Peninsula. But before the first snow falls, the Copper Country will receive a coat. On Saturday, the Copper Country Angel Mission and Salvation Army will host the organization’ Coat the Copper Country free store for the community. Rene Turoniemi says this year’s campaign reached out to the CCISD to make sure every kid in the region will have a chance to pick out winter gear.
The schools know to contact us too. They know, um I was at Horizons yesterday dropping socks and underwear off and then they gave me some hygiene products they need. But um the CLK schools, if they have kids that are in need, they just email us and say we need a size whatever, snow pants, can you see what you have? And so it’s nice to have that relationship continuing to grow. – Rene Tourniemi, Copper Country Angel Mission
Carol Plichta adds that the campaign’s reach out to students goes beyond the local schools too. In recent years they have helped some of Michigan Technological University’s international students find a proper coat for the Copper Country’s unique winters.
Last year, we saw a big need with the international community because we have many families. Can you imagine? Like I was saying, winter in other countries doesn’t mean the same as winter here. So they really were in need. And it’s expensive. Coats and boots and everything for all the kids. – Carol Plichta, Salvation Army
Families with students registered already for Coat the Copper Country will pick out items on Friday before CCAM and Salvation Army open the free store to the community. On Saturday the free store will open at 10am for the general public.
Those interested in donating and supporting the Coat the Copper Country Campaign can drop off lightly used winter items to the CCAM store in Calumet or the Salvation Army office in Hancock. Organizers say the campaign is in need of men’s jackets and water-resistant gloves for children. Monetary donations also help support volunteers purchasing specific items in need.
Learn more about the Copper Country Angel Mission and Salvation Army Coat the Copper Country Campaign here.
Comments