Warm Hands and Warm Hearts Benefit Detroit's Homeless this Holiday Season

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., Nov. 19, 2014– The Shirt Box today kicked off its annual holiday giving campaign by announcing the men’s clothier will donate 10 percent of all sales of its Wear It Again Wool mittens to the nonprofit Heart 2 Hart. The holiday fundraising event begins today and continues through Wed., Dec. 31, 2014.

Wear It Again Wool mittens are handmade locally in Milford, Mich. by craftswoman Cyndi Hughes. Hughes turned her love of sewing into a business, which helped put her youngest child through college. She makes the mittens from 80-100 percent recycled wool sweaters. The interior of the mittens are fleece lined and they are machine washable. The mittens are available in a variety of styles, including Michigan State University, The University of Michigan and solid colors. Each pair is $45.

“Heart 2 Hart is such a tremendous organization with such a tremendous need right now,” said co-owner Ron Elkus. “The purchase of a pair of mittens will not only help keep you or your gift recipient warm this winter, but will help keep an individual in need warm as well.”

Founded by Larry Oleinick in 2012, Heart 2 Hart Detroit was established to address the needs of homeless individuals living in the Detroit Metropolitan area. Deliveries of clothing, shoes, packed lunches and toiletries are made three times a week to Hart Plaza and the surrounding area and shelters. In 2013, the organization distributed 7,050 lunches, 700 pairs of new underwear, 1,250 pairs of socks and 1,900 shirts, sweaters or sweatshirts alone.

Heart 2 Hart Detroit volunteers pride themselves on providing more than tangible items to the individuals they meet. The organization places an emphasis on building relationships with the people they serve by starting conversations and offering words of encouragement, with a goal of establishing a sense of consistency within a community that has little to rely on.

According to the National Survey of Programs and Services for Homeless Families Michigan had an estimated 1,825 homeless families on a single night in 2011 and Detroit had the third highest number of both homeless individuals (11,913) and persons in families (6,149) in the country in 2008. According to the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness, there are currently more than 86,000 homeless individuals in Michigan.

Fore more information about The Shirt Box or its efforts to help the area’s homeless population through Heart 2 Hart, call 248-851-6770. Information on direct donations to the nonprofit can be made by visiting h2hd.org.

Celebrating more than 33 years, The Shirt Box has been the store-of-choice for men’s fashions since its inception. Trendsetters will find an extensive merchandise assortment of men’s furnishings, corporate casual wear and business wardrobe classics. Men’s footwear, accessories and gifts round out the assortment. The shop is located at 32500 Northwestern Hwy. Farmington Hills, MI 48334, (248) 851-6770. Visit The Shirt Box on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shirt-Box/200715706615769 .