DIVINE CHRISTMAS DRIVE

By [Sharon Elizabeth Samuel] From Dec. 13 to 24, the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. and West 112th Street, will be hosting its annual Cathedral Community Cares (CCC) holiday event. Students and parents of The Cathedral School helped organize a Christmas Drive by decorating a "Mitten Tree" and collecting clothing to give away. In addition to mittens, scarves and hats, CCC distributes toys, pillows, stuffed animals and Apple products. The items are donated by the Today Show Charitable Foundation, Inc., and Manhattan's Trinity School. Parents and caregivers who are CCC clients, shelter patrons or residents of West Harlem and Morningside Heights can set up appointments to "shop" during the holiday season. The clothing and toys will be arranged in the cathedral as in a store, where parents can pick out Christmas gifts. Cathedral Community Cares also provides meals, employment assistance, food stamps, counseling and other resources for underprivileged families throughout the year. To volunteer with CCC, please call 212-316-7581.