The Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) will kick-off the 43rd annual Mitten Tree Campaign tomorrow morning, December 9, 2016, with the annual Mitten Tree Ceremony. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. in the lobby of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, located at 200 Holliday Street.

To mark the start of the 2016 Mitten Tree Campaign, leaders from DPW and the Departments of Transportation and General Services will join with area school children to decorate the towering Christmas Tree with hats, gloves, and mittens. All the warm clothing will be distributed to the Salvation Army. Area citizens and City workers donate these items to help make this winter warmer for Baltimore City children in need.

“This is a wonderful Baltimore tradition, and I encourage everyone to join in this year’s Mitten Tree Campaign by donating new mittens, scarves, hats, and gloves. These items will be deeply appreciated by many Baltimore children this winter,” said DPW Director Rudy Chow, P.E.

The Mitten Tree Ceremony also features music performed by the Abbottston Elementary School 2^nd grade students, the Baltimore Police Department Adult Choir, and the Franklin Square Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. A special appearance by Santa Claus will usher in the traditional Mitten Tree Toss to close out the event.

Citizens and City employees are encouraged to leave donations of mittens, gloves, hats, and scarves in the collection bin or hang them on the Mitten Tree, both located in the lobby of the Abel Wolman Municipal Building. Donations will be accepted through Wednesday, December 21, and distributed by the Salvation Army’s Franklin Square Boys and Girls Club located at 215 Calhoun Street in West Baltimore.

Donations can be mailed to: 
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works
Office of the Director
600 Abel Wolman Municipal Building
200 Holliday Street
Baltimore, Md. 21202