Middle Gate’s Giving Tree To Benefit Batered Women’s Shelter

By Tanjua Damon

It looks like a Charlie Brown tree and the decorations are not traditional, but the Giving Tree in the Middle Gate School lobby has more meaning to it than what it looks like. The Giving Tree accepts donations of mittens and gloves this month to benefit the Danbury Battered Women’s Shelter.

Students are being asked to bring in new mittens to fit women, toddlers, children, and teens for the Giving Tree. When a student brings in a pair, they use a clothespin to attach it to the tree and take off the paper “thank you” mitten.

Fifth grader Chelsea Fowler believes it is important to help people who do not have the same things others have.

“There are a lot of kids and women who do not have things we have,” she said. “It’s a good idea to give them things that they need.”

Fourth grader Keith Hoffman agreed, especially since winter is coming and everyone needs something to cover their hands.

“I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “Everyone should put some gloves on it [the tree].”

The purpose of the tree at Middle Gate is to begin a tradition of caring and sharing within the school community. It also shows students that they can help people with simple deeds like giving mittens and gloves.

“They’ll have something to go outside with,” said first grader Dana Greenfield, who helped her mom Terri make the paper “thank you” mittens.

For the month of November gloves and mittens will decorate the Giving Tree at Middle Gate School and the meaning and message of the tree will give it a beautiful look for all to see.