Help your neighbors stay warm

Wood River Health Services in need of ‘Mitten Tree’ donations

Wood River Health Services Billing Manager
Tracy Pion (l) and Social Services Manager
Cindy Gardiner set up the health center’s ‘Mitten Tree’
with donations from the local knitting group
“Skeins with Brains.” Donated mittens, hats, gloves
and scarves are placed on and under
the tree for those in need to select from.

By David Henley

HOPE VALLEY – On typical years when Wood River Health Services takes down its ‘Mitten Tree’, which allows area residents in need to select from donated mittens, hats, gloves and scarves to keep them warm, there is enough “inventory” left over to begin the program again the next winter.

But following an extremely cold winter last year coupled with years of recession that has hit the local economy particularly hard, only the annual donation of hand-made items from local knitting group Skeins with Brains allowed the mitten tree to begin operations at all this year.

Because of this, Wood River Health put out a call for help to several organizations that have regularly contributed to the center’s causes, including local scout troops, Chariho Rotary and Chariho Moms Club, and the high school’s Interact Club, and is asking the community to keep an eye out for opportunities to contribute.

“We recently had go out to our wonderful community supporters to stock up our free children’s books program, and the response was fantastic,” said Development Coordinator David Henley.

“The group at the high school is already in the middle of a food drive, but the Interact president is taking on herself to put out collection boxes around town, and several other people have asked me about what we need.”

In addition to the boxes set to appear around Hope Valley/Wyoming, Henley said donations can be left at the health center at 823 Main Street, Hope Valley.

“I don’t want anyone in need of a hat or pair of gloves to feel they can’t still come to us for help – we have plenty for now, and I know the generous people of this area will come through,” Henley said. “This winter is getting rough already. Nobody should be out in the cold unprepared.”

Wood River Health Services is the Federally Qualified Community Health Center for southwestern Rhode Island, providing medical and dental care and social services to over 9,000 area residents.

The center also provides a nationally recognized chronic disease management program, on-site lab testing in cooperation with Westerly Hospital, and behavioral and mental health counseling and referrals.

Wood River Health Services is located at 823 Main St., Hope Valley (on Route 3 south of the village, just off Route I-95 at Exit 2). For more information, call (401) 539-2461 or visit www.wrhsri.org.