As everyone begins to decorate their Christmas trees, a local library will put up their Mitten Tree at the beginning of December.

Instead of ornaments, the Mitten Tree is decorated with hats, scarves, mittens and other warm winter items for anyone who may need them.  

Washington Park Library Manager Karen Schultz said the Mitten Tree was started several years ago when staff noticed a lot of children outside playing and sledding and didn’t have any gloves or hats or scarves.

“Staff at the library brought some things into the library to give out to the neighborhood kids and it just kind of took off from there,” Schultz said. “We put up a Christmas tree at the beginning of December every year and our patrons donate, staff donate from all the St. Joseph Public Libraries, the kids sometimes make things or we have volunteers who knit or crochet hats and scarves and gloves and just bring them into the library. We put them on the tree and anyone who comes in the library who has a need just takes what they need.”

Schultz said they give away about 100 items or more every winter. Winter items can be brought to any of the St. Joseph Library branches and they will make sure it gets put on the Mitten Tree at Washington Park Library.

Schultz said the tree usually stays up through February.

“As long as it’s cold outside and people have a need for warm items, we keep that tree up,” Schultz said.

For more information, contact the Washington Park Library at (816) 232-2052 or visit them at 1821 North 3rd Street in St. Joseph.