Courtesy Photo Maren Winter, owner and creative director for Choucas Hats, donated 30 hats for Alpena Cancer Center patients this holiday season. Pictured are Ann Diamond, director, MyMichigan Health Foundation, Winter, and Jennifer Schuch, social worker, Alpena Cancer Center.

ALPENA — Maren Winter, owner and creative director for Choucas Hats, donated 30 hats for Alpena Cancer Center patients this holiday season. The hats Winter delivered came in multiple styles and colors, some of which Winter designed herself.

“After losing hair during chemotherapy, patients’ heads become more sensitive than usual,” explained Jennifer Schuch, social worker, Alpena Cancer Center. “Even for those who haven’t lost their hair, chemo and radiation can cause temperature dysregulation. As Maren explained, Choucas Hats are made of soft materials and come in different weights and designs. These variations will provide our patients with a hat that works perfectly for their needs. This was a wonderful gift that will help bring a smile to many of our patients this holiday season. I’m so grateful for Maren and these beautiful hats.”

Winter purchased Choucas Hats in 2022 from the business’ original owners in New Hampshire. Over the past year, Winter and her husband Levi Goebel, owner of Harborside Cycle and Sport, have moved to Alpena, bringing the company’s headquarters with them. Since then, Winter has created new designs using multiple techniques.

“Our non-sparkle prints were completely designed in-house,” Winter said. “The print mediums range from digital art, watercolor painting and rubber stamping. The entire collection was inspired by my love for Northeast Michigan and the new company chapter Choucas has embarked on.”

“I am so impressed by both Maren and Levi’s entrepreneurial spirit,” Schuch said. “It’s exciting to have two new business owners in town! It’s obvious Maren has a deep love for her hometown and Northeast Michigan. The designs and the materials of the hats are beautiful and will be greatly appreciated by our patients. They will certainly make our patients feel special and we are so grateful for this donation.”

For more information or to purchase one of Winter’s designs, visit choucashats.com For more information about donations to the Alpena Cancer Center or supporting cancer care at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, contact Diamond at ann.diamond@mymichigan.org or 989-356-7738.