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City announces second annual Spread the Glove initiative

November 28, 2016

With cold weather quickly approaching, winters like this are especially difficult for those less fortunate in the community. Last winter the City of Bristol’s Spread the Glove campaign proved to be an overwhelming success, with over 1,000 items donated. The campaign actually began two years ago when a transit driver saw some of her bus riders without gloves and other cold weather necessities. She decided she had to do something to help out, so she set out to gather cold weather items. On cold days, she tied the items to umbrellas located at the city’s transit center for anyone to take who needed such. Other members of the community reached out to help and began knitting toboggans, mittens, gloves and scarves to donate.

Last year the city’s Community Relations Department took on the program; and with the assistance of local radio stations and high school sports teams, the Spread the Glove campaign began without any expectations of how it would work out. With those partnerships in place, the department was able to spread the word to the public. “We were overwhelmed with the thoughtfulness shown by so many in our community,” said Terrie Talbert, Director of Community Relations for the City.

This year’s Spread the Glove initiative will begin on Thursday, December 1 and will continue through the end of February.

Donations of any new or gently used gloves, hats, and scarves may be brought to the lobby in Bristol Tennessee’s City Hall, or any of the city Fire Stations. Staff will collect the items and attach a note letting everyone know the items are not lost, but are there for the taking if someone should find themselves out in the cold and in need of something warm. City staff will be responsible for placing the items in the downtown area. “Winters can be long. It will take a true community effort for the initiative to be successful again this year.” Talbert said.

For more information on the program, contact Terrie Talbert at 423-989-5500 Ext. 2055 or email tsmith-talbert@bristoltn.org.