AUGUSTA – Central Maine Power Co.’s third annual Community Mitten Drive is under way.

“We’re accepting donations of new, store-bought or handmade mittens, gloves and hats to help keep Maine kids warm this winter,” said CMP Spokeswoman Gail Rice. “We have collection boxes at all CMP service centers, Reny’s retail stores, Tim Horton’s restaurants and Saco and Biddeford Savings Institution branches.” A list of locations is posted CMP’s Web site at www.cmpco.com.

The project got a boost last month with the anonymous donation of more than 300 pair of handknit mittens.

“Two large bags of mittens appeared at the front door of our Portland Service Center on Canco Road the day before Thanksgiving with no name or note attached,” said Rice. “Knitting more than 600 hundred mittens is a huge undertaking, and we’d love to know where they came from so we can thank the donor.”

CMP sent letters to more than 400 schools throughout its service area to gauge the need for the items. Once received, they’ll be distributed to where they’re needed most. The drive will continue through February.