The holiday season of giving is underway as the 59th Annual Damien Mitten Tree Drive officially begins, with Christmas trees going up at locations across Detroit Lakes following Thanksgiving.
Community members are encouraged to donate new, never-worn winter gear—including mittens, hats, gloves, and scarves—to help keep local children and families warm this winter. Donations will be collected through December 17, with the main collection and distribution day set for December 18.
Cash donations are also accepted at customer service counters at participating locations or can be mailed to:
Damien Society, P.O. Box 514, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502.
Damien Society, P.O. Box 514, Detroit Lakes, MN 56502.
Donation Drop-Off Locations
Mitten Trees can be found at several area businesses and organizations, including:
Bell State Bank & Trust, Old National Bank, First National Bank, Midwest Bank, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, La Barista, Central Market, DL Newspapers, Essentia Health, Sanford Health, Lakeshirts, 180 Balance, DLCCC, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Rossman Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Methodist Church, Roasted, and Strive Chiropractic.
Bell State Bank & Trust, Old National Bank, First National Bank, Midwest Bank, Lake Agassiz Regional Library, La Barista, Central Market, DL Newspapers, Essentia Health, Sanford Health, Lakeshirts, 180 Balance, DLCCC, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Rossman Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Methodist Church, Roasted, and Strive Chiropractic.
Where the Items Will Go
The donated winter gear will be distributed to a wide network of local schools, child-focused programs, and support organizations, including:
Becker County Fire Project, Lincoln Education/Early Childhood, Holy Rosary School, Rossman School, Roosevelt School, Detroit Lakes Middle School, Mahube Head Start, Daystar Recovery Center, Crisis Center, DL Boys & Girls Club, Audubon Elementary, Frazee Elementary, Omega School, Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Head Start, WE Indian Health Services, WE Boys & Girls Club, Circle of Life Academy, and the Callaway Boys & Girls Club.
Becker County Fire Project, Lincoln Education/Early Childhood, Holy Rosary School, Rossman School, Roosevelt School, Detroit Lakes Middle School, Mahube Head Start, Daystar Recovery Center, Crisis Center, DL Boys & Girls Club, Audubon Elementary, Frazee Elementary, Omega School, Waubun-Ogema-White Earth Head Start, WE Indian Health Services, WE Boys & Girls Club, Circle of Life Academy, and the Callaway Boys & Girls Club.
For nearly six decades, the Damien Mitten Tree Drive has relied on the generosity of the community to ensure children stay warm throughout the winter. Organizers say this year’s need is as great as ever and encourage anyone able to contribute to take part before the December 17 deadline.