Warm The Children still $12,000 shy of annual goal

Warm The Children (WTC), a program that provides warm winter clothing to children in Vilas and parts of Oneida counties, is in its final stretch of fundraising for the season, and shopping is nearing completion as well.

Currently sitting at about 85% of its goal, WTC program coordinator Nancy Brandner noted that funds are still $12,000 short of the $80,000 raised each year.

The program serves nearly 500 children in the area, and to date 439 have been taken shopping by volunteers. Shopping wraps up Dec. 14, ahead of the holidays.

“We are really hoping to get that final push of fundraising done in the next couple weeks so we can be sure to have the money in place for area kids,” said Brandner. “This program is so helpful to families, and we are very grateful for the many who give each season so we can keep it going.”

WTC also relies heavily on those who volunteer their time to shop with families at Glik’s in Eagle River and Northland Clothing in Three Lakes.

“Each year we start with a good base of return shoppers, and the big hearts of our volunteers is heartwarming,” Brandner said. 

For anyone who would like to make a donation to the program, checks can be made out to “Warm The Children” and mailed to: Vilas County News-Review, P.O. Box 1929, Eagle River, WI 54521. They also can be dropped off at the News-Review office, located at 425 W Mill St. in Eagle River. Online donations can be made at vcnewsreview.com on the homepage.

Monetary donations are tax-deductible and are under the auspices of the Eagle River Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) entity.

In addition to many anonymous donations as of Dec. 11, donations were made by people in the following communities:

Eagle River: Cliff and Susie Erickson; St. Peter the Fisherman; Vern and Diane Kramer; and Michael and Sandra Mettler.

St. Germain: Tom and Mary-Doug Brown; Harry and Georgianna Southwick; and Robert and Marilyn Workinger.

Land O’ Lakes: Christine Tews.

Out of State: Bruce and Char Casey, Elgin, Ill.; and Tom and Jean Peterson, St. Charles, Ill.