NORWICH – In a small satellite office for the State Comptroller in Albany, people choose to donate items for various causes.
Throughout the winter holidays, the office, located in the Workers’ Compensation building, chose to have, what they call, the “mitten tree.” This is the second annual mitten tree, and people working for both the comptroller’s and the workers’ compensation offices donated winter clothing apparel and other items. The tree was a big success last year, as items donated went to an Indian reservation in South Dakota.
This year, when deciding what to donate, additional items such as new school supplies, story books, writing utensils and, like last year, winter apparel was collected.
The crew of givers chose to come to Norwich this year because of the severe flooding over the past six months. The donators had heard people lost many of their possessions, and they say they knew there were families in this area that needed their help.
People donating said they are hoping the warm hats, mittens, scarves, school supplies and delightful and interesting story books will help many families in Norwich to have happier holidays this year.
Bringing the items to Gibson Primary School last Friday, was Vaila Joy from the state comptroller’s office and her husband Ed. Working with the school social worker Luann Kida, the donations were a big success for the second year, and Kida says the teachers and students will enjoy the additional school supplies and books given to the school.
People responsible for the mitten tree are Supervisor Gordon Hamilton, Vaila Joy, Frank Felts and Timothy Wolfe as well as the many people in the building who donated.