Give Warmth for Giving Tuesday with KHA!

Giving Tuesday is on December 2nd this year. This is an internationally celebrated day where we are asked to think about what we can do to make life better for others. I am celebrating Giving Tuesday by raising funds for Mittens for Detroit, one of my favorite charities.

I've been working with Mittens for Detroit since April 2013 when my wife Wendy Shepherd was hired on as their first executive director. I have watched this small but mighty organization grow and distribute more than 350,000 pairs of new mittens and gloves to kids, teens, and adults in need in and around Detroit. I'm hooked on this charity because it's been a hands-on experience for me. I see how important mittens and gloves are to people who are in need.

Why are mittens and gloves important? Because Detroit winters are cold, and cold hurts. Imagine being outside without anything covering your hands on a blustery January day. Imagine being a child who has icy hands because they walked to school without mittens. Imagine being an artist who wants to change the world with their creations, but grasping a paint brush is not possible.

I think about that last one often. How could I work on my paintings if my hands were too cold to hold a brush? How could I concentrate on my art when I'm shivering? 

I want you to join me for Giving Tuesday and let's make a difference together. Let's see how many pairs of new, warm, durable mittens and gloves we can raise together. Your donation will be used by Mittens for Detroit to purchase these pairs at greatly reduced prices. For instance, a donation of $50 could fund 5 high-quality pairs of gloves for veterans. These pairs would retail for $25 each, so the true value of your donation could be $125. Think about 5 third graders on a playground making a snowman wearing their new mittens. Your donation of $40 would keep those hands warm and dry. These pairs might retail at $20 each. You can see why I love this charity - it doesn't take much to make a meaningful impact.

When I've participated in distribution events with kids and adults, the genuine heartfelt joy and appreciation that they have exhibited has profoundly touched me, and it would profoundly touch you too if you were there to witness it. If you want to get an idea what I mean, please watch the news story video below. Bonus points if you see me in my red shirt (and I'm not Santa!).

This is going to be an especially tough winter because of the economy and safety net issues. It's going to be very hard for people to make those tough decisions about priorities for their limited funds. Let's help them out by providing this basic and essential item of winter clothing. 

Since the beginning of my journey with MFD, I've been a volunteer, a board member, and an outreach manager. I'm committed to their goal – warming hearts, two hands at at time. I hope you will find it in your heart to join me for Giving Tuesday. Thank you for your support!  And, if you need another reason to give, think of all of the snowmen and forts that will be built because of you!

Also... what beside good feelings and happiness is in it for you? I'll be pulling three donors' names at the end this campaign to give them a free Kenneth Hershenson Art print as my way of saying thank you for your kindness and generosity.

For more information - https://www.MittensForDetroit.org

#GivingWarmthIsCool #MittensForDetroit #WarmingHearts2HandsAtATime