NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE SERVICE
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The Barrie Police Service hopes to bring a bit of warmth to our community this winter, as the service launches the annual Mitten Tree campaign for 2023.
Retired constable Janet Schefter started the Mitten Tree more than 20 years ago, with a vision inspired by a group of individuals who had been struggling to stay warm throughout the winter months.
It was her goal to see that everyone in our community would be kept warm throughout the winter months, which led to the creation of the Mitten Tree.
In 2019, officer Janet retired after a policing career that spanned more than 30 years and touched thousands of lives.
The Mitten Tree is one of many holiday initiatives that allow members of the Barrie Police Service and the community to give back. Tens of thousands of hats, mittens, gloves, and scarves have been distributed to individuals of all ages, throughout the city of Barrie and the surrounding area.
The success of the Mitten Tree can be attributed to the generosity of the public, as donations have been sent in from Toronto and as far away as Nanaimo, B.C., from avid knitters who contribute to the campaign every year.
If you would like to donate to the Mitten Tree campaign, please visit the Barrie Police Service Headquarters, 110 Fairview Rd., Barrie. A tree has been generously donated by Sommerville Nurseries and is located in the lobby of the Barrie Simcoe Emergency Services Campus.
All donated items must be newly purchased or made, for health reasons. Donations will be accepted up until Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. We appreciate the generosity of the public. However, we are unable to accept donations of coats and boots. Many local thrift stores or service organizations would be pleased to accept gently used coats and boots.
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