A local craft group based out of the Wesley Woods Senior Living Community in Gilford has donated hundreds of hand-knit mittens, scarves and hats to the Laconia office of Meredith Village Savings Bank (MVSB) on 379 South Main Street. The group, who anticipates giving to the MVSB Mitten Tree Drive each year, begins knitting mittens, scarves and hats as early as January. The MVSB Mitten Tree Drive is a holiday tradition that started in 1979.
“We’ve been meeting every Tuesday for the past several years to knit as many cold weather items as we can for the Mitten Tree Drive,” said Joan Edwards, one of ten Wesley Woods Craft Group members. “We knit all year long and donate to various groups like Altrusa, Humane Society and of course the bank! It really feels good knowing our hand-made creations will be put to good use this winter.” MVSB will donate $2 to the NH Food Bank for every article collected through December 17. Non-profits who are in need of mittens, hats, gloves and scarves should contact the Meredith Village Savings Bank office closest to them. A complete list of offices and hours is also available at mvsb.com.
“We’re grateful for this incredible donation of time and materials from the Wesley Woods Craft Group,” said Eric Petell, Assistant Vice President, Branch and Business Development Manager. “So much attention to detail and care was invested in each item being donated. It’s an honor to be on the receiving end of their hard work and generosity.”
MVSB expects to reach or exceed the results of the 2015 Mitten Tree Program, which contributed more than $4,000 to local non-profit organizations. Thanks to the generous support of the community, 1,957 winter weather accessories, including hats, mittens and scarves, were collected bank-wide and distributed to local families in need.
New handmade or store-bought mittens, hats, gloves and scarves can be dropped off at any MVSB local office in Alton, Ashland, Center Harbor, Gilford, Hampton Falls, Laconia, Melvin Village, Meredith, Moultonborough, Plymouth or Wolfeboro. For every Mitten Tree item collected between Thanksgiving and December 17th, MVSB will contribute $2 to the NH Food Bank, earmarked for use in the communities the bank serves.
Photo caption: Eric Petell, Assistant Vice President, Branch and Business Development Manager (left), Jennifer Reera, Branch Services Representative (second from left) and Kerry Herward, Teller (second from right) stand with members of the Wesley Woods Craft Group (left to right)- Joan Edwards, Rosemarie Grant, Pat Osgood, Ruthann Schuster and Marilyn Ayer.
