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November 1, 2006
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Hillside Special Santas Celebrates 25 Years of Caring
Hillside Special Santas, the holiday giving program that offers the community an opportunity to help youth and families build better futures, this year celebrates 25 years of caring.
Hillside Special Santas started with donated gifts stored in a Hillside leader’s office and has grown over the last quarter of a century into a holiday giving program serving children and families in 34 counties throughout New York State.
“It's hard to believe that over the past 25 years we have estimated that more than 39,000 children and families have received gifts through Hillside Special Santas,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas manager. “The growth of the program and what it has meant is truly reflective of that special human quality that is shown when there are others in need.”
“In my opinion, the Special Santas program lets families who are having a hard time, whether financially, emotionally, or both know that others care about them and want to help. It lets families know they are not alone in dealing with life’s hardships and also helps them feel cared about and part of the holiday season, rather than feeling left out,” says Tess Mahnken-Weatherspoon, Hillside Children’s Center Monroe Region services leader. “For many families, the gifts provided through Hillside’s Special Santas program are the only gifts they receive, and helps make the holidays brighter for them.”
Those interested in learning how they, their family, or their organization can help make the holiday season brighter for local youth and their families are invited to call (585) 256-7630. Hillside Special Santas also maintains an informative Web site at www.hillside.com/donate/santas/index.htm. Gifts or cash donations can be mailed to or dropped off at Hillside Special Santas Headquarters, 1183 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14620.
Hillside Family of Agencies is a nonprofit organization comprised of the affiliates Crestwood Children’s Center, Crestwood Children’s Foundation, Hillside Children’s Center, Hillside Children’s Foundation, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, and Snell Farm Children’s Center. Hillside Family of Agencies is a leading provider of child welfare, mental health, youth development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities services to children and families across Central and Western New York.
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