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Clothing Firm Giving Warm Gifts for Needy

December 28, 2009 - AUGUSTA -- Needy families will get an unusual but necessary gift in the coming weeks – natural wool thermal underwear, donated by a new Maine company.

Tom and Kate Chappell, best known for founding Tom's of Maine, have started a business called Ramblers Way. On Wednesday, they came to the State House to announce that they were donating 5,000 pieces of their new clothing line to teams across the state who work with struggling Maine families.

"It's very painful for us to observe the growing needs and wish we could do something," Tom Chappell said during a news conference in the governor's office.

The Ramblers Way tops and bottoms, which are made of fine wool that's meant to be worn against the skin, come in adult sizes. They will be distributed by Goodwill and the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program.

Thomas Nickerson of Goodwill said six workplace centers in coastal Maine will be distribution points. Counselors and staff members who work at the centers will identify people who are most in need, he said.

"It will be unexpected because they are coming to get help from us on their resume," Nickerson said. "It will be nice for them to get something for themselves or their family to stretch their dollars. This is Maine, and everybody needs long underwear at some point."

In addition, the community action program that serves Kennebec and Somerset counties will hand out the free garments.

Dana Hamilton, a project coordinator, said those who come in for help with their heating bills and those who have recently lost jobs will be eligible.

"We have elderly people in cold houses who are trying to save on heat, and this will keep them warm," she said.

Gov. John Baldacci recognized the Chappells, who have been Maine business owners for nearly 40 years, as "good corporate citizens."

"As you are beginning your new business, you've recognized that you can help struggling Mainers keep warm this winter," Baldacci said.

The Chappells, who sold most of Tom's of Maine to Colgate-Palmolive in 2006, got their new business running just 10 weeks ago, Tom Chappell said.

"We're having a great time and we look forward to the coming years for what we can do for the Maine economy," he said.

By SUSAN M. COVER, Kennebec Journal December 24, 2009


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