DECORATE THE MITTEN TREE

Darke County Commissioners Mike Rhoades, Mike Stegall and Matt Aultman make first donation to 2017 Fish Mitten Tree project which will provide mittens and gloves to children enrolled in Darke County Head Start programs, represented by Chase and Denelle Blackburn.  Also pictured are Marilyn Delk, the Fish volunteer who coordinates the Mitten Tree and Fish Director Kristy Cutarelli. 

The Fish Mitten Tree once again needs donated gloves and mittens to decorate its empty branches; these donations will be distributed to the children enrolled in Darke County Head Start programs. In addition to the Mitten Tree located at Montage, 525 South Broadway in Greenville, a Mitten Tree also stands inside the Brethren Retirement Community, 750 Chestnut Street, Greenville, and in the Ben Franklin store, 4 West George Street, Arcanum. Many churches and organizations also erect trees which collect gloves and mittens from their members; these donations are then passed on to Fish to be given to the little Head Start participants. The Mitten Tree has been an annual holiday project of the local Fish organization for almost fifty years.

“The Mitten Tree provides the opportunity for people of all ages and incomes to participate in the true spirit of the season,” said Marilyn Delk, the Fish volunteer coordinating the Mitten Tree project. “While we know that needs are great across the nation and around the world, we sincerely hope that our generous neighbors will once again this year be able to spare the relatively small amount required to purchase a pair of mittens or gloves and bring joy and warmth to local children who may not receive many other gifts this Christmas,” Mrs. Delk concluded.

To best meet the needs of children directly served by Head Start programs, donated gloves and mittens should fit boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 5; however, donated items in larger or smaller sizes will be shared with Head Start families. So that the mittens and gloves can be distributed prior to Christmas, contributions should be received by December 17. For more information regarding the Mitten Tree, contact Mrs. Delk at 937-548-2482.

Fish is an ecumenical volunteer organization which responds to emergency food needs; the Fish Choice Food Pantry, located at 400 Markwith Avenue, is open on Mondays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., and on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. No appointment is necessary to visit the Food Pantry; clients are eligible for help once every four weeks. For more information, call the Fish phone number, 548-2000; a volunteer will return your call.