Mitten & Glove Tree: Helping Pontiac Children Stay Cozy This Winter

As the weather turns colder, First Lutheran Church is once again extending a helping hand to children in our community. The annual Mitten and Glove Tree will soon be on display in the Fellowship Hall, ready to be filled with hats, mittens, and gloves for Pontiac school children in need. Each item placed on the tree represents a small act of love that makes a big difference for local families facing the chill of winter.

In addition to collecting winter accessories, the Outreach Committee will also be purchasing new winter coats for students in grades PreK–8. These coats will be distributed before Thanksgiving to ensure that children can enjoy the season’s first snowfall in warmth and comfort.

This ministry reminds us of the words of 1 John 3:17-18:

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Through your gifts, you are putting love into action—meeting real needs and sharing Christ’s compassion with those around us.

Thanks to the ongoing generosity of our congregation and the support of the First Lutheran Church Foundation, this ministry has become a cherished annual tradition. Together, we continue to provide essential outerwear for local children who might otherwise go without.

As the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7:

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Your donations—whether it’s a new pair of mittens, a financial contribution, or simply spreading the word—help us share Christ’s love in a tangible way. When we come together as a church family, our collective kindness reminds every child that they are seen, cared for, and valued.

We invite everyone to participate in this year’s Mitten and Glove Tree project. Stop by the Fellowship Hall to hang your donation on the tree and help us keep Pontiac’s children warm this winter.