Rocket Challenge Helps Mitty Save His Mittens!

The theme for our 11th Rocket Community Challenge is simple.... Help Mitty Save His Mittens! We need your help today to help us build our supply of new mittens and gloves!

On June 26th a burst pipe and turned our Mittens for Detroit office into something like a flood zone. Water poured from the ceiling like rain, soaking thousands of brand new pairs of mittens and gloves – pairs that were already sorted, boxed, and ready to warm the hands of children and families across metro Detroit this fall.

We lost far more than we could save. THOUSANDS of new, warm, durable mittens and gloves... lost. Some we had to toss were men's pairs at $45, some were kids' pairs at $20, some were handmade pairs for toddlers. Heartbreaking.

We are not sure how many dollars it will cost to replace the lost pairs. Look how many huge black trash bags full of sopping wet mittens and gloves (and hats, scarves, and socks) are in the picture above. This is a devastating loss. We have spent the summer searching for our best deals on replacement pairs. New, warm, durable pairs. And that takes time and money.

Since 2010, Mittens for Detroit has always held one promise to the communities we serve: every pair we give is new. It's a matter of dignity. That promise hasn't changed — which means the soaked pairs could not be replaced by those who went through a washing machine. The scale alone made that impossible. They are simply gone.

What isn't gone is Mitty's spirit — or ours.

Lincoln is an 11 year old boy and one of our favorite collection partners. He collected 700 pairs of mittens and gloves last year. His mom told him what happened to MFD. His response stopped us in our tracks: "We have to help Mitty save his mittens!"

He was right. His family volunteered to help with the clean up. Lincoln knew what needed to be done to help. And now we're asking you to help, too.

Our physical office is closed for repairs now until into September, so right now a financial donation is the most powerful thing you can do. Every dollar goes directly toward replacing what was lost so that when fall arrives, our Distribution Partners – schools, shelters, community organizations – have what they need to keep kids, teens, and adults warm.

Detroit winters don't wait. Neither can we.

Please donate today. Help Mitty save the mittens – and help us keep our promise to Detroit.

Thanks so much for helping us through this disaster. Mittens for Detroit is in its 17th Season of Warmth only because of you and the generous and caring support by the community! We are counting on you to step up to the challenge. If you want to set up your Big Sort events for the fall and winter, please email Wendy@MittensForDetroit.org.

And who IS this Mitty guy? He's our mascot! 

Thank you for your wonderful support. You are appreciated, because YOU are making a difference! Here's our recent newsletter with more details: https://conta.cc/4y4nSXI

With warmth & gratitude,

Wendy Shepherd, Executive Director

& The Mittens for Detroit Board of Directors

P.S. Please feel free to share this fundraiser. Every dollar helps. Every mitten matters. Thank you!