“We’re really happy to help,” said Dr. Sean Murphy. “It was a huge success last year.”

It was such a success last year, that it was hard not to do it again, said Wendy Etmanski, who also works at the health centre.

Etmanski said that the initiative goes hand-in-hand with the Snowsuit Fund program. “The children get snowsuits, why not hats and mitts,” she said.

By giving the new or handmade items to the Christmas Basket program in Carleton Place, it ensures that the items stay within the community.

“It works out good,” said Wayne Drummond, organizer of the Christmas Baskets in Carleton Place.

Drummond said the basket program helped 275 families last year, including about 400 children. And he expects that due to the downturn in the economy this year, there will be more families requesting a basket than last year.

“We need a program like this because economic times are steep,” said Drummond.

The warm clothing that isn’t distributed with the baskets will make its way to the Lanark County Food Bank, where parents can pick up items for children throughout the winter.

Drummond said that children are apt to lose their mittens, so having extras at the food bank was a good idea last year.

The health centre is asking that donations are new or handmade items for children and it will be collecting the items until the end of November.

Donations can be dropped off at the Murphy Health Centre, located at 3 Maple Lane, in Carleton Place, or picked up by a staff member by calling 613-253-8813.

The hats and mittens will be distributed in the Christmas Baskets on Dec. 19.