Keeping Cache Valley children warm this winter
The USU Women’s Center Advisory Board is sponsoring the 20th Annual Mitten Tree, an event to collect scarves, gloves, socks and mittens for needy children in Cache Valley. The items are then donated to Cache Valley’s Head Start, Centro de la Familia, Child and Family Support Services and Sub for Santa. Donations are accepted now through Dec. 1 in more than 20 locations around Cache Valley.
Patricia Stevens, who has been the director of the Women’s Center for three years, said she has been amazed at the support the Mitten Tree receives each year.
“This valley is very generous with everything that we do,” Stevens said. “We have people in this valley who knit all year long and donate 100 items.”
Stevens said the Mitten Tree began in November 1988 when each of the Women’s Center Advisory Board members were asked to donate two pairs of mittens, hats or scarves to help needy children in Cache Valley. She said many people from outside the board were impressed with the center’s efforts and also wanted to help. Since then, participation in the Mitten Tree has increased every year to include donation locations across the valley. Stevens said last year the Women’s Center collected more than 1,300 items at a total estimated value of about $4,500. She said she hopes this year is no different.
“We hope to have at least (1,300 items) or more,” she said. “This is a particularly difficult year for so many people.”
Stevens said the goal specifically for this year is to have 600 complete sets of scarves, gloves, socks and mittens to donate. She said socks are especially needed.
Stevens asked that other warm clothing items, like coats or boots, be donated to Sub for Santa or other organizations.
Donation boxes and trees on campus are located at the USU Women’s Center,the Marketplace, Development Lab and Space Dynamics Lab. For a complete list of donation sites and for more information about the Mitten Tree, visit the Women’s Center Web site, www.usu.edu/womencenter/.
The Women’s Center is also sponsoring a reading of the children’s book, “The Mitten Tree”, Dec. 2 at noon by Kiersten Wilson in the TSC International Lounge. The reading is for the children at the Children’s House and any other pre-school and elementary children who would like to attend.
–karlie.brand@aggiemail.usu.edu