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Copper Country Angel Mission teams up with local orgs for Coat the Copper Country

Volunteers with the Copper Country Angel Mission, of Calumet, and the Salvation Army, in Hancock, sort and organize winter clothing at the Salvation Army building for distribution next week’s Coat the Copper Country campaign. Winter clothing will be available at both the Calumet store and the Salvation Army building, in Hancock. (Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette)

The Copper Country Angel Mission, in Calumet, has kicked off its Coat the Copper Country, a campaign to provide winter clothing to those in need in the local area. This year, the Angel Mission and the Salvation Army have partnered to distribute clothing. Both organizations share common concerns and similar programs for community members in need, said Renee Tuoriniemi, Client accounting manager with the Angel Mission. “They agreed to let us use their building (Bread of Life Center, on Ravine Street, in Hancock).”

Tuorinimiemi said the Mission is developing relationships with the local schools, the Phoenix House, the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Center, just some of the local agenices and organization with residents in need.

“These institutions they can contact us about specific needs that we can fill,” Tuorinimiemi said.

“In the past, Copper Country Angel Mission did a distribution at the store in Calumet,” Tuorinimiemi said, “but, we have limited space and a lot of need.”

Because the need for winter clothing has increased so dramatically, not only has the Angel Mission teamed up with the Salvation Army, it also requested, and received, help from the Phoenix House

Last Friday, six residents of the Phoenix House loaded 65 totes of boots at the Angel Mission, in Calumet, and unloaded them at the Salvation Army building, in Hancock.

Angel Mission volunteers worked together with Salvation Army volunteers organize the items in preparation for distribution next week.

Nonprofits are not alone in preparing for the Coat the Copper Country, Tuoriniemi said. Houghton Walmart is credited with special pricing on merchandise; Allouez Dollar General has also assisted with special pricing on last year’s hats and gloves. Calumet Dollar General made donations of last year’s clearance hats and gloves. In addition, U-Haul loaned a truck, free of charge, for the transportation of the goods that were transported last Friday.

“None of this would be possible without our kindhearted, passionate and hardworking volunteers and out communities ongoing generous support of donations,” said Tuoriniemi.

It does not end there, she said.

“Much of the winter wear is donated, but we also purchase winter wear at reduced prices year-round. In 2023-24 we received a Portage Health Auxiliary grant and Walmart Corporation grant that allowed us to purchase items,” said Tuoriniemi. “We benefit from financial donations via donation cans located at our local businesses and monetary donations sent to Copper Country Angel Mission that are designated for winter wear purchases.”

Other ways other organizations are assisting are participating include providing collection points.

Collection boxes are located at Walmart, Auto Pro Glass & Tire, Portage Lake United Church, Saints Peter & Paul, Evangel Community Church, Grace United Methodist, Houghton, Bethany Lutheran Church, Mohawk, Faith Lutheran, Calumet – TSA, Hancock, and other businesses and churches in the area. Collection boxes will remain to refresh supplies for the ongoing distribution at both sites into the winter.

“This winter wear distribution ensures each child and adult has adequate winter wear,” Tuoriniemi said, “it’s not to serve as spares or to grow into next year, it’s for immediate need.”

Distribution is Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 until 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. However, winterwear will be available until Thanksgiving at The Copper Country Angel Mission and The Salvation Army.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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