Local Families In Need Get Free Winter Gear in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, MI — Many of us are on a budget however the reality is that for struggling families, even something as necessary as a pair of mittens is out of the budget. Thanks to the "Warm Hearts, Warm Kids" event 40 area families in need are now going to be a lot warmer this winter.

The Royal Oak Youth Assistance (ROYA), Royal Oak Meijer and the Jordan and Ashley Siegel Fund combined forces to provide local kids with $150 each to go a Meijer shopping spree and stock up on winter essentials like coats, scarves, boots and gloves. Families sipped and snacked on cider and doughnuts while the kiddos got to pick out their warm clothes. Jamie, a mother of four whose husband was injured in a work accident said of the event, “It brought some fun into a hard time. We are so grateful that all these people banded together to help during a tough time.”

"Warm Hearts, Warm Kids" was the idea of ROYA Caseworker Nancy Minckler and Christie Siegel, who created the Siegel fund to help families after her two children tragically died in a car accident in 2012. “No one agency can meet all the need we see" said Siegel. "Kids and families still struggle. What’s wonderful is that there are so many warm hearts in Royal Oak willing to help.”

Photo courtesy of Royal Oak Youth Assistance