For the eighth consecutive year, The Village Bank will partner with the City of Newton Department of Health and Human Services for an annual Holiday Gift Drive, to help ensure that all of Newton’s young children will experience the true spirit of the season ahead.
The Bank and the city are encouraging everyone to play an active role in the Holiday Gift Drive through donations of gift certificates and new, unwrapped gifts for children ages newborn to 10. Suggested gifts include age-appropriate books, CDs and DVDs, clothing, games, sporting goods, and toys. A donation of gift certificates purchased from local merchants will also benefit businesses in the community.
“This event is the highlight of the holiday season for us,” said Joseph De Vito, president and CEO of The Village Bank. “It is always heartening to see how our customers, friends, neighbors, and local organizations and businesses step up to bring joy to others. It is a perfect example of true community spirit.”
The Village Bank’s Newton branches in Auburndale, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Waban and West Newton will serve as Holiday Gift Drive collection sites. Donations will be accepted through December 14.
De Vito said that last year’s Holiday Gift Drive touched 168 local families. According to Deborah Youngblood, commissioner of Health and Human Services, every income-eligible family that applied was provided with age- and gender-appropriate gifts in time for the holidays.
“We hope to duplicate that success with this year’s Holiday Gift Drive,” said Rachel Nenner-Payton, the City’s director of social services. “This is a wonderful, caring community; I feel confident that will happen.”
