T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Edward Jones financial advisors Bruce Wirin and Nathan Blayer display the Hats and Mittens collection box at Wirin’s location on Main Street. The three Marshalltown Edward Jones offices collect winter gear every year to donate to the Caring Center, Inc. Not pictured is financial advisor Zach Wahl.

The annual Hats and Mittens drive by the three Edward Jones offices could not have better timing.

After the first significant snowfall of the winter, Edward Jones kicked off the annual collection of winter hats, mittens, scarves and all other winter gear accessories on Tuesday.

The collections are taking place at the three offices in Marshalltown:

• 16 E. Main St.

• 20 S. First Ave.

• 507 W. High St.

Financial advisor Bruce Wirin said all drive will end Dec. 18 and all items will be taken to the Caring Center, Inc., a local organization that gives personal and household items to people.

This is the tenth year the local Edward Jones offices have held the collection campaign.

“We have gotten great reception from people who are wanting to make a donation,” Wirin said. “We recognize the need in the community.”

Financial advisor Nathan Blayer said the majority of the winter accessories they collect is for children and many are hand-made.

“We get a lot of hand crafted items that people make through the year,” Blayer said.

Wirin said the hand-made items are a nice, caring touch.

Every year, Edward Jones donates hundreds of winter accessories to the Caring Center, Inc. and they are hoping to do the same this year.

Boxes are inside each of the locations and business hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611

or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com