BankRI Woonsocket branch collects 263 gifts for children served by CCF
Hundreds of children across the Ocean State are receiving special gifts to help brighten their season thanks to Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) and the generosity of its customers and staff. Through its 22nd annual Holiday Giving Tree program, the bank collected 1,466 presents for underprivileged kids helped by 16 nonprofits statewide.
In Woonsocket, the bank’s local branch led the charge, providing 263 gifts to Connecting for Children & Families for distribution to area children in need. Along with the wide range of presents for kids of all ages, the Woonsocket branch was able to give the organization gift cards to Stop & Shop to assist families with their holiday dinner.
“Every year we look for our Giving Tree program to be successful, and every year I’m taken aback by the incredible response of everyone involved,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, President and CEO, BankRI. “Having an opportunity to put a smile on the faces of kids who may be going through tough times is what this time of year is all about.”
BankRI begins the Holiday Giving Tree program the day after Thanksgiving, with all 20 of its branches featuring a Giving Tree decorated with ornaments that include the name, age, and gift wish of a local child. For nearly four weeks, individuals selected ornaments and later returned to their branch to place donated gifts beneath the tree. As of December 20, all presents were given to BankRI’s nonprofit partners for distribution to children, ensuring they’d reach their new homes before the holiday.
The 16 nonprofit partners of BankRI’s 22nd annual Holiday Giving Tree are: Adoption Rhode Island, Aids Care Ocean
State, Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick, Community Care Alliance, Comprehensive Community Action Program, Connecting for Children & Families, CrossroadsRI: Domestic Violence Program, East Bay Community Action Program, East Greenwich Dept. of Human Services, Kingstown Crossings, Lucy’s Hearth, Providence Housing Authority, SSTARbirth, ‘Tis the Season Coventry/West Greenwich, Tri-County Community Action Agency, and Welcome House of South County.