Warm Despite the Weather: One Teen’s Work to Collect and Redistribute Winter Clothes

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Aanya Bhatia. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

After collecting her third film camera, 17-year-old Aanya Bhatia could definitely be considered a photography enthusiast. Her keen eye for finding the best light and framing each shot has built her capacity for observation, so when the number of unhoused people in her community began to rise, she noticed. She also decided to act.

Aanya and her friend, Hannah Sim, founded The Mitten Organization to address the increase in clothing insecurity, particularly amongst children and teens. They have run more than 50 clothing drives and have hosted redistribution events partnering with universities, thrift shops and other organizations. New chapters in Indonesia, Pakistan, India, California and Canada, each with two to three members, recreate the system Aanya and Hannah built in their own areas. So far, they’ve collectively donated more than 1,000 pieces of clothing—as well as funds—and are working to ensure everyone has warm clothes for the winter weather.

What inspired your organization’s name?

Our name is based on a children’s book called The Mitten by Jan Brett. It’s about a snowy day when the animals in the woods go inside a lost mitten together to keep themselves warm. We also wanted to offer a safe space for people to access basic needs important for the colder months. We emailed the author and asked if we could use the name of the book as our organization’s name, and she agreed.

Tell us about your volunteer role with The Mitten Organization.

As co-founder, I oversee the organization’s operations. I organize monthly clothing drives and coordinate with team members and partner organizations. We host a lot of drives at universities, schools and libraries, so I usually call or email them to organize those and redistribution events. My role also involves strategizing our outreach efforts and managing our donations. We have bi-weekly meetings with members in different locations to discuss goals and what we should all be doing.

We have a joint collection. We’ve donated to multiple different organizations. Most recently, we just donated to Children’s Hope India, an organization that offers food, education and shelter to kids in India who don’t have access. Once we amass some money, we decide where to donate. With our GoFundMe page, we’ve raised $6,000 of our $10,000 goal.

Additionally, I ensure that donations are distributed to people who need it the most. I also work on spreading awareness about clothing insecurity and building partnerships with local and global organizations to expand our impact through social media.

Describe your growth process.

We posted a Google form on our Instagram multiple times, and somehow people found it and applied. Then, we asked them why they wanted to be part of our organization, collected their contact information and created a group chat to keep in contact.

What is something that people should know about the population you serve?

There are a lot more things that bring people closer together than there are that separate them. When people think of homelessness, they usually think of it as some far-off thing that they have no connection to. But once you actually interact with these people, you notice that you have a lot in common. At the end of the day, we’re all just people.

I also want people to understand that anyone can make a difference, regardless of age or resources. Giving back creates a ripple effect. It not only helps people in need but also fosters a sense of connection and purpose. It’s a way of building a stronger and more compassionate community by reminding us of our shared humanity.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

We want to expand our reach and impact by collaborating with local businesses to host clothing drives. My partner and I reached out to a lot of them in our area, but they were unwilling. We’re hoping that in the future, we find some who are. We also hope to establish a mentorship program to help those in need learn skills for employment and self-sufficiency. We want to offer more resources to propel the unhoused community forward.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

It’s seeing the joy on people’s faces when they receive our clothing and the excitement at our clothing redistribution events. As soon as we put our clothing down, people run to the counter. It brings me joy. I remember being at a redistribution event, and a young girl received a winter coat that fit her perfectly. Her smile lit up the entire space, and her mom shared how they’d been struggling to find warm clothing throughout the winter. It showed me how the small act of kindness made a huge difference in their lives and reminded me why our work is so important. It motivated me to continue on with the organization.

Any advice for people who are trying to start their own initiative?

Don’t get discouraged. At first, it can be hard to find organizations to reach out to or to get your name out there and make an impact. If your social media only has 10 followers, it can feel like your efforts aren’t going anywhere. But eventually that momentum will pick up, and you’ll have a moment like I had with that girl. You’ll see why you should keep pushing forward. It’s important. Even if it only makes a difference in one person’s life, that’s a good reason to continue.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I know a lot of people who, when they’re starting new things, feel like they need to have a perfect plan and lots of resources. Don’t spend all your time planning to do it. Just do it. No matter how long you plan, the execution will never be how you envisioned it, and you’re going to have to adapt to new challenges and environments. Have some sort of mission, but don’t waste too much time. Act.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Aanya? Find local volunteer opportunities.