Hatfield Township is holding its Second Annual Giving Tree Program to help local families in need provide presents for their children for the holidays.
The program started last year and was inspired by similar programs. There is a tree located in the township building on School Road. Those who want to purchase a gift can stop by and pick out an ornament that contains a gift request.
The unwrapped gifts should be dropped off at the township building no later than Dec. 15. The flyer says Dec. 12, but Christine Nicholas—Hatfield Township’s Parks and Recreation Coordinator—said that there is a Santa event on Dec. 15, so that is the very last day to ensure that the gifts can be wrapped.
Last year, the township partnered with Hatfield Elementary to help find families in need. This year, they were able to open the program to Hatfield Elementary and A.M. Kulp Elementary.
“The schools are so appreciative,” said Nicholas. “They’re so great to work with.
The families are chosen with help from the principals and guidance counselors the schools. The schools contact the families they think would benefit most and the parents get the gift requests from the kids and pass them on. Once the gifts are collected and wrapped by the township, the parents are notified and pick them up to give to the kids.
“We got such an outpouring of response last year and people were so generous that we actually picked four families this year,” Nicholas said. “It’s nice being able to double our efforts.”
