Mitten Tree kicks off the season of giving

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nathan Clark
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

Altus Air Force Base and the National Bank of Commerce teamed up to kick off the annual Mitten Tree event, Nov. 17.

Base leaders gathered with the NBC base branch staff to celebrate and hang mittens and hats on a Christmas tree to show their support of the charitable event.

The Mitten Tree program started in the early 1970’s as a way to provide warm clothing to youths in need within the local area. Gloves, mittens, scarves and knitted hats are donated to Altus NBC banks and then distributed to the Altus AFB Child Development Center and Youth Center, Salvation Army, Head Start, ACMI House and Project Noel.

“We used to start the drive in between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but by that time it’s already cold,” said Jeff Greenlee, Altus community president, NBC Oklahoma. “For the last several years we’ve had it around this time to be able to get the donated items out in time for the cold weather. It’s also for early recognition of the holiday seasons that are coming up and is an opportunity to get in to the giving spirit.”

The Mitten Tree program is not only a way to help those in need, but helps strengthen the ties that bind the City of Altus and the base together.

“The uniqueness of this installation is that the city and base are very well matched in terms of contributing to each other,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Ohliger, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander. “We’re entering a season of giving, charity and hope, which binds us as humans. This event is a great start into the spirit of the giving season.”

In addition to giving clothing to local children, NBC also is providing an opportunity to enjoy the works of Oklahoma artists’ artwork.

For the past nine years an Oklahoma artist has been commissioned to produce a painting with prints being distributed throughout the state. Traditionally the artist signs the 97th print and presents it to the 97th AMW commander.

This year’s painting was done by Bert D. Seabourn, based out of Oklahoma City. The painting is of a Native American medicine man with a Kingfisher medicine bird, which was seen as an advocate of healing.

If you want to contribute items to the Mitten Tree drive, you may bring them by any Altus NBC location during business hours. NBC will be accepting donations until Dec. 15.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to come out and engage with each other and support an organization that provides much needed warm clothes to those who need it,” said Ohliger.