Disabled kids send mittens for victims

BRADENTON -- A group of disabled children touched by the Sept. 11 attacks said they wanted to give a Christmas treat to children who lost their parents.

So the Foundation for Dreams' Dream Oaks Camp for disabled children organized a mitten drive and adorned three 7-foot-tall trees with more than 600 pairs of gloves and hand-knitted mittens donated by local residents.

"I think it's important because of all the kids who lost their moms and dads in the two towers," said Gabrielle Lozano, 12, who is blind and has a brain tumor. "I think it's nice to give them a little Christmas."

Lozano and her mother, Pam, tied small gifts to the mittens. They added locked diaries and small purses for girls, and pens, pads of paper and calculators for boys. They also slipped thoughtful notes inside.

"This is the way our kids, who are less fortunate in different ways, are helping kids in New York, who are less fortunate," said project chairwoman Pam Lozano.

The mittens were to be distributed by the New York City Fire Department. The trees were sent to New York City's Viewing Room, an art-therapy gallery.

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