The Mitten Tree

For the holiday season, Kathleen Academy of Dance is accepting donations of a new pair of mittens or gloves (child and adult sizes) to decorate our studio tree.  The items collected will be donated to the Somerset County United Way “Wrapped in Love” program.  All mittens and gloves will go to the less fortunate in our area.

 We began this program in 2004, and within a few weeks, were able to collect 250 pairs of mittens/gloves. In 2005, the number grew to over 300 pairs and continues to grow each year.  In addition, a campaign has been spearheaded by studio director, Kathleen Cirioli, asking dance studios throughout the country to do the same project, hoping that “The Mitten Tree” idea will spread throughout the U.S. and Canada as a way of giving to those less fortunate.  In addition, all of the young dancers at the Kathleen Academy are learning about the joy one gets by helping others in need. Even the youngest dancers are involved and are being taught the meaning of ‘giving” to others.

 If you would like to share within the spirit of this holiday season, kindly bring a pair of new mittens or gloves to the studio. Donations are accepted Monday – Thursday evenings between 5:00-8:00 p.m. or Saturday mornings between 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  The deadline for donations is Wednesday, December 5, 2012.  This will allow The United Way enough time to distribute the items which have been collected.

Please feel free to share this with your family and friends, and thank you for your holiday spirit and generosity.