UTICA — Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-119, Marcy, is partnering with the Utica Comets and the Utica City Football Club to help bring warmth to children and individuals in need this winter.

Donation bins are available at Utica Comets and Utica City Football Club games until Friday, Dec. 11.

“A number of children in our community will not have adequate winter clothing to keep them safe this winter. Thanks to the generosity of the Utica Comets and the Utica City Football Club, we are again able to offer their fans an opportunity to keep children warm this winter,” said Buttenschon. “The donations collected will be distributed to the Connected Community Schools program and the Thea Bowman House.”

“Partnering with Assemblywoman Buttenschon’s hat and mitten drive has become an annual initiative here at the Adirondack Bank Center with the Comets and Utica City FC,” said Comets President Robert Esche. “We are honored to be able to help collect donations for a great cause.”

The collective drive was embraced by several local agencies who seek to help those in need.

“Connected Community Schools can only make the impact it does in children’s lives because of the support of our community. It is amazing to see that support comes from our local government as well as our fabulous sports teams, helping to ensure that students’ basic needs are met in order for them to engage in their education worry and struggle free,” said Melissa Roys, co-executive director of Connected Community Schools.

“Winter wear is certainly a large part of getting our students to school, these hats and mittens will be incredibly appreciated by our families,” Roys added.

“Thea Bowman House thanks Marianne Buttenschon for the fore thought of collecting hats and mittens for our Mohawk Valley children,” said Sandra Wright, program director at the Thea Bowman House.

“Last week was so warm and this week winter weather may arrive early. We at Thea Bowman House have many children that can use hats and mittens,” she said, adding “We have a large day care program and an even bigger pre-K program with the Utica City School District” where hats and mittens can help children in need.