Carmeuse Grand River donates winter gear to help the homeless this winter

Nobody should freeze to death in America. That’s the motto and mission of Sub Zero Mission, who help the homeless of northeast Ohio survive the winter by providing them warm clothes and other cold-weather gear.

The Carmeuse Grand River Operation recently got involved with this simple—but vital—undertaking, donating a range of winter items to the charity’s Stuff the Bus campaign. Employees at the operation provided six sleeping bags, four two-man tents, and eight coats, as well as hand warmers, hats and boots.

Sub Zero Mission was started in 2009 by Al Raddatz and Del Bethel, former classmates who had both served in the Marines. The two pioneers initially helped a couple of local homeless veterans with sleeping bags. A social media campaign quickly increased the number of sleeping bags donated to 50 and Sub Zero Mission was born. 

The following year saw the number of sleeping bags rise to 250, with other winter items also being collected. The mission has continued to grow, but retains a focus on veterans, who make up almost one in five of America’s homeless.