Through its Giving Tree, Neighborhood House Inspires 'Immeasurable' Gifts

Every day until Christmas Eve, Rochester Patch is past your front porch to people and organizations across the area. Have a local cause or nonprofit you'd like us to write about? Tell us in the comments or send an email to kristin.bull@patch.com.

Day 1: Neighborhood House Giving Tree

For businesses, schools and churches in the Rochester area, there is, perhaps, no easier way to help those in need this holiday season than by setting up a giving tree. 

The organizes one of the biggest holiday gift drives for area families through its Giving Tree program. This year, the Neighborhood House will be helping an unprecedented number of families, according to executive director Linda Riggs.

"Brightening a child’s world and bringing a smile to a small face on Christmas morning is an immeasurable gift in itself," Riggs said. "We couldn’t do it without the help of our neighbors and our local community."

The Neighborhood House will deliver gift tags to be hung on the tree. Patrons and employees can purchase the gifts listed on the tags, and Neighborhood House "Elf Squad" members will collect the gifts before Christmas.

Last year, Rochester Patch

So, to recap, there are five ways to help this year:

• Host a tree in your business.
• Find a tree and buy a toy or item that's listed on the tree ornament.
• Adopt a family (your family will be matched, anonymously, with one in the community).
• Donate a gift, gift card or monetary contribution.
• Sign up online to purchase a gift.

Details on the online giving program are available on the Neighborhood House website at www.ranh.org, or you can call coordinator Sharon Sutton at 248-651-5836.

Coming tomorrow: How to help Gleaners Food Bank.