The Bank of Canton, located at 166 Harvard St in Brookline, is collecting mittens, gloves, hats and scarves to donate to The Kids Clothes Club. Brookline residents are invited to celebrate the spirit of the season by supporting this worthy cause for Boston’s children in need.

Last year the Bank collected around 65 items for the tree. This year bank staff has been challenged to fill the Mitten Tree with 150 items.

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of children lacking even the most basic of warm outerwear. Last year the Bank received word from a Brighton teacher participating in the program that expressed her concern at the number of children in her classroom ill-equipped for winter’s cold weather. As a result of the Mitten Tree Drive and Kids Clothes Club, there was a box full of items for her to distrubute to the children.

Donations may be made during business hours. The Bank of Canton is open Monday to Wednesday 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Both new and clean, gently-used items may be donated. Cash donations, however, will not be collected.

About The Kids Clothes Club

Since 1991, the Kids Clothes Club has provided warm winter coats to children in need. In their first year, they helped thirty children stay warm through the cold New England winter. Today, thanks to the generosity of local donors, they distribute thousands of coats each year.

The Kids Clothes Club works through schools, day care centers, shelters, and community agencies to identify children in need and deliver new winter coats that are stylish, warm, and guaranteed to bring a smile to a child’s face. They have been able to expand their reach to serve children throughout Massachusetts, but as additional schools and community agencies hear about the program, requests for help increase.