Mitten Tree Update #1 –  Mittens will look a little different this year with more requests for “a ride to xx on xx date” or “tutoring for an hour on 3 Saturday mornings” rather than a more traditional gift of “a pink teddy bear.”  Maybe “a trip to the playground on a Saturday morning” too. Our members and friends will have the gift of getting to know our newest neighbors. We are moving in the right direction!  In a time when people have so little control, giving people a choice becomes a gift.  This year, we’re going to have gift cards for Market Basket and Stop & Shop on mittens.  We may also have “Charlie Cards” on a few mittens to give the gift of transportation! 

Sponsored by the Social Action and Outreach Committee, with lots of help from the congregation, this activity involves making virtual and paper mittens that communicate holiday gift wishes from members of newly arrived families.  In preparation, volunteers create paper mittens, set up the tree, and adorn it with opportunities for giving.  The Symmes Room is transformed!  As members and friends look over the (virtual and paper) mittens, they’ll read the wishes of our newest neighbors. As our community chooses mittens, each with a unique request to fulfill, the tree looks a little bare, until Sunday, December 17th, when gifts are gathered under the tree in all their festive splendor! 

Please pay attention, to all of our updates in Highlights because lots more details will be available in the coming weeks. And, of course, there will be a virtual version of all of this for those who are not fond of in-person shopping, wrapping, etc.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated generosity!