Strategy March 02, 2022
The Bright Side: Wisconsin Knitwear Donates Winter Hats
During the coldest times of the year, Wisconsin Knitwear spread the warmth with a donation of about 6,000 hats around Milwaukee.
This winter season, Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Knitwear (asi/97595) donated nearly 6,000 knit hats to local organizations in need.
Wisconsin Knitwear has donated nearly 6,000 knit hats to organizations in need this season, including to several Milwaukee-area public schools.
During a particularly cold week this year, president and owner Steven Arenzon made a Facebook post asking if any organizations needed hats for the winter season. Several charities, organizations and multiple Milwaukee public schools in need of hats reached out to the supplier. “The response was overwhelming,” says Arenzon.
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The organizations were able to pick up the winter hats from Wisconsin Knitwear’s factory and distribute them among their community members. Arenzon credits the strength of the Milwaukee community for the support in distributing the donated goods.
The supplier donates to multiple organizations each year throughout the city. Over a decade ago, Wisconsin Knitwear started a program called Gift of Warmth to work with the local Milwaukee police force to distribute hats around the city. Many police officers in the area noticed people outside in the bitter cold without proper protection, so Wisconsin Knitwear stepped in to help by supplying winter hats.
In addition to partnering with the police force, Arenzon says he has several local organizations he regularly partners with to provide donations. However, he says Wisconsin Knitwear tries to accommodate and support any local organization in need.
Through its donations, Wisconsin Knitwear hopes to spread warmth and better protect the community from harsh winter conditions. Arenzon says: “It makes me so happy knowing that [Wisconsin Knitwear] can give someone a hat who needs it and also create a positive interaction with them.”
As a family business, Wisconsin Knitwear strives not only to provide high-quality products and service, but also to give back to the community. Arenzon says he hopes to pass on these values of generosity to the next generation. For the supplier, not everything is about business. “Giving of our time, skills and resources are what gives us joy and makes our world a better place,” says Arenzon.
Wisconsin Knitwear has been around for more than 75 years, specializing in USA-made jacquard winter knit hats, scarves, headbands, beanies and other custom promotional items.