9031-R3_CC_Hollis_2023-2024_AnnualReport_Web

Hollis Christmas Fund 2024

The Hollis Christmas Fund had an eventful year this past year as we moved into a new temporary space at the Hollis Center Fire Station. This was somewhat of a nostalgic move for us since I remember, as a kid in the 80’s, going to the fire station to see Santa arrive on a fire truck. The Ladies Auxiliary provided all the kids with a present and a candy cane and the kids would get to sit on Santa’s lap. Walking into the fire station brought me back to a joyful time and made me remember why we volunteer our time and resources. It’s because Christmas is for kids and because we all need a helping hand sometime. Next year in 2025, we will move again, but this time it will be a move into our permanent space in the new Hollis Town Hall building. We are excited for this move as it will allow us some much needed space to complete our mission. With new space will hopefully bring a few new volunteers to help us complete our work. Currently, the Hollis Christmas Fund has a committee of 3 dedicated members. They, with the help of a couple volunteer shoppers, do everything from soliciting funds from our neighbors, to accepting and interviewing applicants, setting up work space, shopping for warm winter outfits and footwear, making wish list tags for giving trees at area businesses, sorting and packing gifts and of course, distributing presents to families in need. If you have extra time in November and December and want to become a volunteer for the Hollis Christmas Fund then please stop by Town Hall and complete a volunteer application and we will try and put you to work. For the 2024 holiday season, the Hollis Christmas Fund was able to assist 24 families with 47 children total. Ages ranged from 1 year old to 17 years old. All children received 2 warm, winter outfits, footwear, winter hats and gloves, age-appropriate games, puzzles and toys as well as arts and craft supplies and books. Some asked for room décor, bedding or sports equipment, too. We worked with some pretty wonderful people in this community who made donations of gifts as well as monetary donations. The Hollis Center Public Library, the Hollis Town Hall and Salmon Falls River Tap & Grill all had giving trees displayed where patrons would take tags and shop for wish list items. Blue Triton/Poland Spring also provided a giving tree for their employees to participate. We thank all of you in our community who come together each year to help us make this program a success. Thank you. If you are a Hollis resident and need some assistance providing your kids with Christmas presents, please reach out to the Hollis Christmas Fund at Town Hall, 929-8552 ext. 17 or send an email to fplummer@hollismaine.org .

-Hollis Christmas Fund Committee

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