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When the three little kittens in the popular nursery rhyme lost their mittens, they should have asked Barrie Police Costable Janet Schefter for help.
Over the past 16 years, Constable Schefter has distributed more than 20,000 mittens, gloves, scarves, sweaters and hats to children in and around Barrie.
This year's campaign starts Tuesday, Dec. 1.
The original idea had been to support children; although throughout the years the need to help individuals of all ages within our community became apparent.
In 2011 the Mitten Tree Campaign soared above all expectations when Constable Schefter and the K-9 Unit visited the Waterford Retirement Residences. What began as a simple stopover inspired formerly idle hands to metamorphose into brilliant and precise knitting machines, which filled our trees beautifully. The idea inspired several Elementary Schools in the area to have their own mitten trees.
Each year the trees continue to stand tall, warming hundreds of hands.
This year the donated mittens, gloves, scarves, sweaters and hats will be donated to:
- Out of the Cold
- Youth Haven
- David Busby Street Centre
- The Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie
- Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and Addiction Services
- CARAH House
- Elizabeth Fry Society
- Salvation Army Barrie Bayside Mission
In recent years blankets have been donated to our campaign and delivered to the pediatric ward at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
Mitten Trees will be set up in the lobby at both of police station locations in Barrie; 29 Sperling Drive and 60 Bell Farm Road.
All items for the Mitten Trees must be new.
For more information contact Constable Janet Schefter at 705-725-7025, extention 2925.
