Thank you to everyone who picked up a mitten (or 2 or 3 or…) on Sunday! The mittens have been restocked so there is still time to pick one up during the week or this Sunday. The Mitten Tree is the UPA’s Annual giving program to REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, Inc. REACH empowers individuals, families, and communities to overcome domestic violence – because we all deserve safe, healthy relationships.
Last year, UPA members provided $1725 in Target gift cards to REACH plus a car load of gifts to stock the Holiday Gift Store. Giving survivors the opportunity to choose their own gifts is in line with REACH’s mission to empower survivors and give them choices to help them regain control of their lives. Gift cards also provide equity in the gifts provided for all the families that are served. The goal is to provide $100.00 worth of Target Gift Cards to every individual. They can do this only with the support of individuals and institutions like the UPA. You will find mittens for $25.00, $50.00 and $100.00 Target gift cards on the Mitten Tree.
REACH is also stocking their Holiday Gift Store for survivors at the REACH office. Survivors can “shop” for items they need/want. Again, offering choices means so much. You will also find mittens for the items that they need to stock their gift store. REACH is accepting paper goods, laundry detergent, children’s clothing (Sizes 2T-10) and adult clothing. The specifics of each category are listed on the mittens.
The mittens are distributed on the “honor system”; we are not tracking them. If you prefer to donate online, you can go to the REACH website at https://reachma.org/ways-to-give/give-now/ and give your gift to the Holiday Gift Program. Please notify Melissa (office@newtonchurch.org) if you give online. Gifts (including the mitten) can be dropped off at the church office; the mitten is especially important for the gift cards so that we know the denomination.
Thank you in advance for your generous support of REACH. This annual event is sponsored by the UPA Outreach Board.