Returning home from college recently with an unexpected minor illness, North Aurora’s Maddie Bozik, the founder of her own nonprofit Maddie’s Mitten March, had to put on hold her plans to devote time to her nonprofit — something she will make up for when she is home for winter break.
Now a freshman at Bradley University in Peoria studying mechanical engineering, Bozik is continuing her quest to provide winter apparel for those in need.
She admits it was a little bit of an adjustment to be away at college and still manage Maddie’s Mitten March.
Sitting down with her family and several volunteers, Bozik said, “We got together a system and things are working really smoothly. I am glad Maddie’s Mitten March is continuing even though I can’t be here all the time.”
Still, she said she misses distributing in person the coats, gloves, hats, scarves and boots to those in need.
“It is such a rewarding feeling to give people things, knowing that they can be warm this winter,” she said. “Everything we do is to help people in the Aurora area and the surrounding communities.”
Bozik formed Maddie’s Mitten March when she was only 10 years old, and today “it is only getting bigger and bigger.”
“It started out as a one-year event, but I had so much fun with it. Every year, it kept growing and here we are now,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine having it any other way.”
Along with a group of volunteers, local businesses have stepped in to lend a hand. Marberry Cleaners has cleaned all of the coats at no cost and Arch Printing has done all of her printing and graphics at no cost, Maddie’s dad Mark Bozik said.
Bozik shared that the organization has had three distributions in the fall distributing an average of 335 pieces of clothing per event.
“Four more distribution dates are scheduled with other dates and requests being considered,” he added.
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The first collection and distribution for Maddie’s Mitten March was completed in 2009, and 300 items were distributed to local churches and shelters.
After this season, he said, “It is estimated that we will have donated over 6,000 pieces of winter clothing.”
This year, the organization has set its goal on raising money to purchase a second bus so that it can expand its number of distributions.
Maintenance issues with the current bus have led the organization to create a backup plan in the event of last-minute mechanical issues, he added.
The nonprofit recently started a GoFundMe page to raise $8,500 to pay for the cost of storage space for the items, to provide maintenance on the current bus and purchase a new bus in 2018.
The organization also would like to make bulk purchases of winter coats and gloves.
Sometimes, the organization is unable to accommodate certain sizes.
Bozik said, “Adult men sizes and larger woman sizes are difficult to come by.”
Cathy Janek is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.