Berlin, New Hampshire — Nov 22, 2013 / (http://www.ericabuteau.com) — While the need for warm coats has never been greater, it has also never been easier to meet this vital need in our community. One local family invites area residents to join them in an effort to ensure that no one goes without a warm coat or hat this winter.

The Buteau/Steller family of Berlin is holding a Winter Warmth drive and will be collecting new or clean, gently used warm coats, hats, mittens, gloves, snow pants and blankets to give to anyone who needs them.

Spearheading the effort is Erica Buteau, a Berlin/Milan Native who has authored two books, is an adjunct faculty member at the White Mountains Community College as well as a Social Media Marketing Consultant and operates a family life blog.  In addition to sharing recipes and product reviews, Erica often blogs about social good, non-profit organizations and giving back.

This year, Buteau and her blog, ButeauFull Chaos, are participating in #GivingTuesday, an International initiative with the support of Mom It Forward, which encourages communities, individuals and other groups to give back to a charity of their choice. #GivingTuesday follows Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Buteau’s efforts will go beyond the blog and offline as she engages her family which includes her husband, Rick ,and their children, Troy, Kendra and Connor in the spirit of giving. Together, the family hopes to encourage other families to do something inspirational, give back and, of course, donate something warm to help another family in need.

Two and a half years ago, the Buteau/Steller family lost their home to a fire and remains extremely grateful for the donations and support given to them during their time of need. This is just one way that they hope to give back to the community.

The family also encourages those who can to find other ways of giving back this holiday season by donating money and goods on their own to programs locally such as area food panties, Catholic Charities, St. Vincent de Paul, The Salvation Army and Toys for Tots who will each be experiencing an increased demand during the holidays.

For additional ways to give back on #GivingTuesday (Dec. 3rd), Erica says, “Anyone can search for the hashtag #GivingTuesday on Facebook and Twitter to find a wide variety of not-for-profit organizations that need help locally, nationally and internationally. I anticipate a huge call for help in the wake of the Typhoon destruction in the Philippines as well.”

To donate winter items, please contact the Buteau/Steller family to make arrangements for pickup now through December 3rd. Once all donations have been collected, the family will clean and sort them by gender and size and deliver them to the Community Bible Church which already operates a “Clothing Closet.” The Church has agreed to help distribute the items to those that need them.

To arrange for pickup, the family asks that you email Erica@ericabuteau.com or send a message through the Facebook page, http://facebook.com/MumsAtHome. They have also set up a Facebook event that you can search for called, “Give the Gift of Warmth for #GivingTuesday” and additional details are available at EricaButeau.com. Items can be picked up directly at your home or the family will arrange to meet you at any local establishment. Please also reach out directly if you or a family member are in need of a warm coat and they will set those items aside for you.