For the sixth consecutive year, The Village Bank will partner with the City of Newton Department of Health and Human Services for the annual Holiday Gift Drive, to help brighten the holidays for deserving Newton children.

The Bank and the City are encouraging local residents, businesses and organizations 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.

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 from November 25 through December 17.
Suggested gifts include age-appropriate books, CDs and DVDs, clothing, games, sporting goods, and toys. The donation of gift certificates purchased from local merchants will also benefit businesses in the community.

According to Kenneth C. Brennan, president and CEO of The Village Bank, last year’s Holiday Gift Drive touched more than 200 local families. “We are always happy to do what we can to help others,” said Brennan, “but it is the overwhelming support of the community that makes this particular campaign so rewarding each year. That really makes all the difference.”

Meghan Kennedy, community social worker for the City of Newton, said that every income-eligible family who applied last year was provided with age- and gender-appropriate gifts for the children in their family, thanks to the generosity of others.