Winter is just around the corner, and some struggling families in Ishpeming are wondering how they're going dress their children for the cold conditions
ISHPEMING -- For some families struggling to make ends meet, buying winter clothing for their children can be difficult. Project Keep Kids Warm is hoping to help.
The project started earlier in the month when collection bags were distributed throughout Ishpeming. In the weeks ahead, the bags will be collected, the clothing sorted, and finally given to those in need. The clothing will be distributed at the Ishpeming Armory, Saturday, October 23.
Some families in Ishpeming are already marking their calendars, like David Dougherty. He's been out of work for almost two years and says the greatest pain of not having a job has been not being able to provide for his daughter, Amanda.
"She's a doll,” said Dougherty. “Prejudice, I may be prejudice, but I think she's the prettiest girl on earth.”
But this winter, David is hoping donations from Project Keep Kids Warm will help his little girl.
"She doesn't understand why her other friends are getting a lot more,” Dougherty said. “And I have to tell her, well their dad's work and stuff like that, but she's good about it."
Michelle Niehaus of Ishpeming moved to the U.P. six years ago. The first winter she almost lost her then two-year-old daughter to pneumonia. She admits she wasn't prepared for the cold winter.
"I’m just grateful that there's a program out there now...jackets,” said Niehaus. “Because they're so expensive here, and with the economy right now, it's just hard to go and get nice warm clothes."
But you don't have to be a member of the Ishpeming community to get involved. If you’re interested in helping, click here. You could help keep a child warm this winter.
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