St. Joe's Middle School Students Raise Money for Bundle Up Kids

Kids helping kids is a beautiful thing.  For the second year in a row, students from St. Joe's Middle School in Appleton held a fundraiser to benefit Bundle Up Kids. The Economics students at St. Joe's held a KIDS to KIDS Money War fundraiser and raised over $1,500 to purchase warm winter apparel for kids in need. They not only raised the money, they spent a day shopping for the items. 

I am so grateful for the time and effort these children and their teachers put into helping other students, and I know the students receiving the new boots, snow pants, coats, gloves and hats will be so thankful as well.

These pictures were taken during and after their shopping spree. Kelley Baryenbruch, a

St. Joe's 8th Grade Teacher said "They had a blast and did a wonderful job!" I agree Kelley!

Thank you to all who participated. Your generosity will be appreciated by many.

Connecticut Businesses Offer a Helping Hand to Bundle Up Kids

It amazes me how generous complete strangers are and how word of mouth can do wonders for a cause.  Whispering Pines, the premier catalog and online site for rustic home goods, clothing, gifts and vintage style with connections to Wisconsin,  will donate $5 from sales of fresh evergreen to Bundle Up Kids this holiday season.

I asked Whispering Pines owner, Susan Kelly, how she heard about Bundle Up Kids and here is what she said, "I came across Bundle Up Kids when I was working with Matt Trotter from The Wreath Factory of Plymouth and Menasha, Wisconsin, on an evergreen collection for Whispering Pines. I was so touched by the simple, straightforward approach of the group--and of the concept. Gather up gently used warm clothes, add some new gloves, hats and socks and no child had to go without warm clothes. I was motivated to do something to help this great group meet their fundraising goals this winter. 

It is with pleasure that Whispering Pines donates a portion of each evergreen sale to your organization--keep up the good work!" 

I want to thank Susan for her generous offer and am grateful for her passion for keeping kids warm.  

As I thought last week how amazing it was that somebody from 1,000 miles away would be touched by Bundle Up Kids and offer to help keep kids warm, my amazement just kept growing!

Maggie Lord, Editor of Wedding Blog, Rustic Wedding Chic

Out of the blue last week I received a wonderful email from Maggie Lord, Editor of Rustic Wedding Chic. Maggie explained that she was the daughter of Susan Kelly, owner of Whispering Pines, and offered to support Bundle Up Kids by donating warm apparel and helping spread the word about us on her very popular blog. Maggie is the mother to a 10 month old and explained how the "idea of children being cold just breaks my heart".

Wow! How sweet and generous of these women to offer to help kids in our community. I want to thank both Susan and Maggie and appreciate their offer to help.

About Whispering Pines:

Whispering Pines ‘Things for the Cabin’ has been a family owned and operated business since 1988. It is the premier catalog and online site for rustic home goods, clothing, gifts and vintage style.Whispering Pines reflects our connection to an American rustic lifestyle shaped by summers spent at our family cabin in Northern Wisconsin...a place we all return to still and have our seasonal Trading Post. As sisters we have had the pleasure of raising our children and business together. We enlisted the aid of husbands, children, in-laws and friends to help as we grew from a small storefront in Piermont, New York into a catalog business serving a global audience. Visit Whispering Pines website here.

About Rustic Wedding Chic:

Rustic Wedding Chic has become the wedding blog of choice for brides planning a rustic or country wedding. Launched in May of 2009, Rustic Wedding Chic inspires and guides couples with a daily muse of photography and information along with a curated directory of resources, the very popular “Ask Maggie” feature, a “How To” with DIY projects, etiquette advice and helpful articles. Rustic Wedding Chic loves to showcase “real” weddings- filled with creative, dreamy and inspiring photos. Our loyal and engaged following has made Rustic Wedding Chic a number one wedding blog. Rustic Wedding Chic is excited to have its first book by the same name coming out in summer 2012.

Appleton Girl Collects Socks for Bundle Up Kids

Abby Popp of Appleton decided to forgo birthday gifts this year and instead, have her friends bring socks to her party to donate to Bundle Up Kids.  Abby collected a basket full of new socks!

Thank you Abby and friends for helping kids in need in your community!

Have a Bundle Up Kids Donation Drive

HAVE A DONATION DRIVE or ADOPT-A-STUDENT

Would your business or organization like to hold a donation drive for Bundle Up Kids? Collection boxes, posters and marketing materials are available. We are happy to drop them off and pick up your donation. For more information, please contact Sandra Began at sandra@sandrabegan.com or 920-585-5397. 

Again in 2011, ARAMARK will be having a Donation Drive for Bundle Up Kids.

If you would like to Adopt-a-Student by providing a financial contribution, 

please download the Donation Form here.  

 

 

 

Thank you for supporting Bundle Up Kids!

Bundle Up Kids Donation Drive Begins Monday, October 10

I need your help raising funds and collecting warm winter gear for students in need.  Financial donations are always welcome. Last year, with the help of so many,  I raised $8,500 which was used to purchase goods for the students. With the increase in need, my goal this year is to raise $10,000.

Your new or gently used goods are needed too. We need youth sizes 5-16 and Adult sizes small - XL in the items listed above.  Drop off your donation at the following locations now thru December 1.


Local Donation Sites
Avenue Jewelers: 303 E College Ave, Appleton, 920-731-4740
Grassroots A Salon: 1350D West College Ave, Appleton, 920-730-3799
The Wreath Factory of Menasha: 226 Main Street, Menasha, 920-886-9989,

Mon - Fri:	10:00 am	-	6:00 pm
Sat:	9:00 am	-	5:00 pm

Bundle Up Kids Has Helped Over 400 Students Stay Warm

In 2009, Bundle Up Kids helped 174 elementary, middle and high school kids in Appleton and Menasha stay warm. We distributed 

• 62 pairs of boots
• 45 pairs of snow pants
• 55 pairs of gloves
• 51 hats
• 26 coats
• 85 pairs of brand new socks
• 37 sets of mittens
• 13 scarves
• 1 vest

In 2010, we were able to keep 40% more kids warm. More than 230 students in the Appleton and Menasha Public School Districts were provided with warm winter gear from Bundle Up Kids.  Over 1225 items were distributed including:

• 155 pairs of boots
• 110 coats
• 126 pairs of snow pants
• 151 pairs of water proof gloves
• 57 sweatshirts
• 126 hats
• 41 scarves
• 229 pairs of new socks
• 230 pairs of mittens
• 200 toothbrushes with toothpaste

1 in 3 Appleton Students Living in Poverty, Bundle Up Kids needs Your Support

1 in 3 students in Appleton Area School District are living in poverty.*

98 students in AASD are homeless.*

*as of September 22, 2011 per Kendra Vandertie, AASD Homeless Coordinator 

If this many children are in need in Appleton, 

how many students are in need in the Fox Valley?

Many don't have a warm winter coat, snow pants, boots, gloves and hats to keep them warm at recess time and every minute they are outside.  

Bundle Up Kids needs your support to help students in need stay warm.

We work directly with counselors, teachers and principals in the Appleton and Menasha public school districts to determine what students need warm gear. They request items for their students, we deliver the items directly to the school within 48 hours.