Sometimes it’s hard to remember exactly how the seed of an idea evolves into an amazing reality. That’s how Gale Willcox feels about the Warm for Winter project that has snowballed into a heartwarming but overwhelming task that’s taken over her life and that of her friend, Jan Leschke.

“I co-chair a fashion show fundraiser for the Northern Arts Council, and thought it would be great to have a show of coats,” she explains. “Could we collect the coats, then afterward give them away? We’d been talking about it for the past year and scrapped the fashion show idea, but in April we kicked off Warm for Winter, asking for donations of warm clothing and bedding to be given away in the community.”

 Nothing could have prepared Gale and Jan for what happened next. The response was absolutely incredible. “Donations started to pour in,” says Gale. “We’ve received probably ten times what we expected.”

 From drop-off points at churches and businesses all around the city, boxes and bags brimming with coats, boots, hats, sweaters and more began piling up. Jan, with help from her husband, Jim, was charged with making the collection rounds and delivering the goods to Gale’s large basement. “We couldn’t have done this if Gale didn’t have this great space,” says Jan, gesturing at the long lines of stacked boxes, piles of bagged bedding and rows and rows of neatly hanging coats.

 Sounds of a washer and dryer hum in the background. The women have done as many as eight to ten loads some days. “We’ve been working like demons,” Gale says. “I mend the items when they need it, so there are no holes, rips or tears. I don’t replace zippers, that just takes too long, but my husband, Dale, fixes them when he can.”

 Jan admits to having few handcrafting skills, but has sewed on quite a few buttons over the past few months - in fact, too many to count.  Neither of them is willing to estimate how many hours they’ve put in, how many miles they’ve put on their vehicles, how many jugs of laundry detergent they've used, or how many items they already have ready to go to new homes.

 Even thinking about that seems mind-boggling when you see the results of their hard work. They take one day at a time, looking toward early October when they will have to call a halt to the donations, prepare the last boxes and bags and take a deep breath.

 For them, October 10 is the big day. By that morning, all the clean, mended items will be arranged in Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church (across from the high school) in Rhinelander. A hot meal will be ready and waiting, prepared and served by members of the church, for all those in attendance.

 “We intend these things to help anyone who might need them,” says Jan, adding that no minimum income level is required and no questions will be asked. “Anyone and everyone is welcome to come.”

 “We all know the economy has gone south,” adds Gale. “People who just recently were able to give help to others now may need help themselves. We feel offering a free meal will also encourage people to come to the event. They don’t need to bring a thing, just a smile.”