Elementary students from St. Anne Catholic School joined Bristol Tennessee Mayor Mahlon Luttrell Thursday for the annual Spread the Glove campaign kickoff, providing the first hats, gloves, scarves, and other cozy items collected this season to community agencies positioned to help those in need.
The first and second graders led by teachers Leigh Anne Bracher and Suzanne Blaser presented an array of cold-weather attire to representatives of the United Way of Bristol TN/VA, Salvation Army of Bristol, Haven of Rest Rescue Mission of Bristol, Family Promise of Bristol, and Proverbs 3:27 Mission Center. Each of these non-profit community organizations provide services to the homeless and others in need throughout our community. Packets also were provided to representatives of the Bristol Tennessee Police Department, Fire Department and Transit Bus Service for distribution to those they encounter throughout the community on cold days.
Representatives from each of these groups attended Thursday’s kickoff and accepted items from the students, who have assisted with the campaign several times in recent years.
“We’re deeply grateful for this remarkable partnership that brings each of these organizations together with the common goal of providing warmth and comfort to others,” Mayor Luttrell said. “Spread the Glove began in 2015 and has collected more than 4,200 items through community collection bins, the generosity of local churches, and our continuing partnership with students from St. Anne School. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday season than to continue this tradition of opening our hearts to those in need.”
In past years, collected items were marked with a tag that said “I’m Not Lost. Take me to Stay Warm,” or a similar message, then tied to trees and light poles in public areas downtown. Items were then free and available to anyone who needed them on cold days. This year the city elected to alter the campaign slightly by giving the items to the organizations already working directly with those who could benefit.
All items collected will be packaged with a Spread the Glove tag and given to one of the City departments or partner agencies for distribution throughout the winter months. Community members are invited to assist by dropping new, gently used, and handmade items in specially marked collection bins located at:
- Bristol Tennessee Municipal Building, 801 Anderson Street;
- Slater Community Center, 325 McDowell Street;
- Bristol Tennessee fire stations:
- 211 Bluff City Highway
- 11409 King College Road
- 500 17th Street
- 361 Exide Drive
- 1404 Highway 11W
The Spead the Glove campaign will continue through the end of February. For additional information, please contact the Department of Community Relations at (423) 764-4171 or [email protected].
For additional information about our partner agencies, please visit:
United Way of Bristol TN/VA https://unitedwaybristol.org/
Salvation Army of Bristol https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/bristol
Haven of Rest Rescue Mission Bristol TN & VA https://www.havenofrestbristol.org/
Family Promise of Bristol http://www.familypromiseofbristol.org/
Proverbs 3:27 Mission Center https://www.facebook.com/proverbs.mission.327
