Temperatures are dropping, and snow has begun to fall in the Keweenaw. It is important for everyone to keep their bodies and feet warm and dry from the chilly snow. That is why the Michigan Tech Clothing Closet, located at 128 Douglass Houghton Hall, is seeking gently used or new winter coat and boot donations of all adult sizes from Oct. 15 to Nov. 5. These generous donations give huskies free and easy access to winter essentials.
Donation bins for this drive are not only located around campus, but are also located in the community. Some of the many drop-off locations include the Dean of Students Office, the Van Pelt and Opie Library, Residence Education and Housing Services, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Evangel Community Church, and St. Albert the Great Church.
Students are encouraged to donate items and to check out the closet to take any winter gear they may need before it gets too cold. Alexandra Marshall, the head of the Husky Closet Collective and Director of Residence Education and Housing Services, said, “Just as fast as it’s coming in, it’s going out, so I’m hoping that we can get a stash of stuff to hopefully last us a couple of months.”
Aside from winter coats and boots, the Clothing Closet contains various donations. This includes jeans, sweaters, gloves, professional clothing, and more. Donations are accepted year round at any time Douglass Houghton Hall is open. Donations are also accepted in the Residence Education and Housing office located at 153 West Wadsworth Hall. The Husky Closet Collective also organizes the Career Closet for professional clothing around Career Fair in the fall and spring, as well as Gowns for Grads for students to borrow a cap and gown for graduation.
Students are free to check out the closet and take whatever donated items they may need. “Instead of heading online to order something, go over to the closet and get it for free. People have been incredibly generous and there’s really nice stuff in there and so I want everyone to head there to get what they need,” Marshall encouraged. “It’s more sustainable, it’s more affordable.”
For more information about donation drop-off locations, visit the Winter Coat and Boot Drive event listed on the Michigan Tech Events Calendar website. For more information about the Husky Closet Collective, visit the Husky Closet Collective website or the Instagram page @husky.closet.collective.
