We had this idea to make an Amazon Wish List Mitten Tree for the neediest Mansion residents this Christmas. This is an old Christmas tradition – to make tree with mittens, scarves, hats, some paints, and brushes for any of the residents who didn’t have those things but needed them, not only for Christmas but for the winter.

The staff will load up the tree with things on the Wish List one night, and the residents could come by the following day and take what they need.

This is especially important as winter approaches.

Many residents go outside in the world – walk, sit on the porch, go shopping, or go to the doctor. They get freezing.

Many don’t have gloves or scarves or mittens, or wool caps. (If any of you knit woolen hats or scarves, please send some to the Mansion c/o Bonnie, 11 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 1286. We can use as many as we can get)

The items on the Wish List are few and inexpensive: $8.99 for a pack of pearls, $2.07 for six pairs of mittens, two packages of paper clips for $3.75 each, $19.99 for one set of canvases for painting,$14.49 each for six groups of women’s warm plaid blanket wrap shawls, $9.95 each for six winter fleece neck warmers.

Next week, I’ll be canvassing several consignment shops I work with, looking for additional scarves and woolen caps to put under the tree.

This is a beautiful way to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas, which is not bargains at the mall, but generosity and empathy for the needy and vulnerable.

(The Mitten Tree)

Thanks so much for your help. If you are not comfortable shopping online, you can donate to me, via Paypal [email protected] or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Mitten Tree Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816. I’ll buy some of the items.

You can see and purchase the items on the Wish List here.

The packages should default to the Mansion, but if you need their address, here it is: “Mitten Tree, The Mansion, 11 S.Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y. 12816.

 

And thank you, thank you.