Hillside Special Santas offers hope during the holiday season

Becoming a Hillside Special Santa impacts the lives of so many youth and families throughout central and western New York during the holidays. Here are just a few of the stories about how much your support means to the children and families Hillside serves:

· A family in Crestwood Children’s Center services was too proud to tell anyone they couldn’t afford holiday gifts for their children. A staff member visited the parents one evening bringing toys, books, and a warm sweater for the younger children, and a football, hand-held video game, and Buffalo Bills sweatshirt for the 12-year-old boy. The parents were also given a gift card to a local grocery store so they could purchase special holiday treats. “Who do we thank?” they asked and were told it was a Hillside Special Santa.

· Lia was in a Hillside residential treatment cottage (RTC) last year. She was pretty angry with the world. Her family had been through lots of turmoil and, as a 14-year-old girl with severe behavioral issues, she had been placed in foster homes before coming to Hillside. Lia was not able to be at home during the holidays, so the RTC staff members arranged a holiday time for the family to spend together in the cottage. They shared gifts, made special treats to eat, and played their new games thanks to Hillside Special Santas. At the end of the school year, Lia moved back home and is now attending a Hillside day treatment program.

· A frightened and sad 11-year-old boy and his nine-year-old sister were placed in Hillside therapeutic foster care just before the holidays. They were hoping for adoptive parents and wanted to stay together. An urgent call was placed to Hillside Special Santas for some gifts for these siblings. Since donors were asking what we still needed, we were able to get exactly what they wanted. The siblings were adopted by their foster parents the following Spring. This year they will celebrate a very special holiday as a family.

Thanks to the more than 25 years of generous support from of all of the Special Santas in the community, Hillside Family of Agencies is able to reach out to thousands of youth and families just like in the stories mentioned here each year through Hillside Special Santas.

Individuals, families, students, community groups, businesses, religious organizations, and all others are urged to consider becoming Hillside Special Santas this year and helping to make the holiday season brighter for local youth and their families that are in need.

To learn how to become a Hillside Special Santa, call (585) 256-7630 or follow the reindeer at www.Hillside.com.

Also, if you have a Hillside Special Santas story, let us know. We look forward to your comments.

Hillside Special Santas lines are open and ready for holiday planning

It’s not too early to begin planning for the holidays. And it’s not too early to become a Hillside Special Santa and help youth and families in our community build better futures.

This holiday season, Hillside Special Santas is expanding to help more than 5,600 youth served by Hillside Family of Agencies–1,600 more than in previous years.

“The growth of Hillside Special Santas is truly reflective of that special human quality that is shown when there are others in need,” said Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas manager, noting that now is the time to make a difference in the lives of these children and families.

Bohne, along with all of the members of the Hillside Special Santas staff, encourage individuals, families, students, community groups, businesses, religious organizations, and all others to consider becoming Hillside Special Santa this year and helping to make the holiday season brighter for local youth and their families that are in need. To learn how to become a Hillside Special Santa, call (585) 256-7630 or follow the reindeer at www.Hillside.com.

Thanks to the more than 25 years of generous support from of all of the Special Santas in the community, Hillside Family of Agencies is able to reach out to thousands of youth and families each year through Hillside Special Santas. As our needs continue to grow, your support becomes even more valuable.

Gift Drop-Offs

In Rochester:

Special Santas Headquarters
1183 Monroe Avenue

Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(Starting November 28)

Saturday, December 15 & Sunday, December 16 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

In Buffalo & Syracuse

Call or visit Special Santas online for hours and locations nearest you.

Please note

To ensure that our families receive their gifts by the holidays, Hillside Special Santas must receive donations no later than December 17, 2007.

Earlier delivery is always appreciated.

'Tis the Season to Believe

Become a Hillside Special Santa today!

To learn more, please contact Hillside Special Santas Headquarters:

Phone
585.256.7630
315.258.2191
716.848.6416

Online
Follow the reindeer at Hillside.com

Postal
Hillside Special Santas
1183 Monroe Avenue
Rochester, NY 14620