Can trees really grow mittens?
Since 2002, the Church of the Gesu, a Jesuit Parish, has planted a mitten tree. They plant the tree at the beginning of the Advent season and parishioners decorate the tree with mittens. Before Christmas, the Church gives the mittens to the area shelter for homeless families. This knitting charity is very helpful to these families in need and appreciated by the recipients and the community. You can borrow their idea or even expand upon it and plant your own mitten tree for the shelter in your community. To start with, gather a group of friends, church or community members who would like to knit for charity. Once you know you have some volunteers who are interested in knitting for charity, contact your local homeless shelter or volunteer organization and explain to them what you have planned. See if they have need for the mittens and are interested in hand knit donated items. Once you have your group of volunteers lined up and know who the recipients will be, you are ready to get starte
