Time’s running out to become a Hillside Special Santa

Don’t miss a chance to make the holidays brighter for a child in need this year.

With only a short time remaining to collect gifts this holiday season, Hillside Special Santas is asking anyone who has not donated a gift to consider doing so. That’s because the program’s goal is to collect more than 17,700 gifts for 5,900 youth from 4,000 families across New York.

“That is a lot of gifts. But, most people would be surprised at how even the smallest gift will help us meet out goal this year,” said Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director.

Bohne notes that Hillside Special Santas asks for new, unwrapped gifts that cost less than $25.

“We have several gifts that are requested more often than others. The issue is that as we fill more requests and get closer to the end of this year’s collection campaign, we are running low on those gifts,” said Bohne.

The most requested gifts that Hillside Special Santas is still in need of include: hats, gloves, scarves, and socks; gift and food cards; hoodies for teens and all ages; arts and crafts (moon sand, jewelry, and art supplies); games–both electronic and board games; duffel or sports bags; basketballs, footballs, and fishing poles; toiletries, lotions, and make-up kits; sports watches for girls and guys; new books for all ages–babies through teens; and learning toys for babies, tots, and kids.

For information on specific gift needs and where to drop off last-minute donations in your area, call (585) 256-7630, (716) 848-6416, or (315) 258-2191.

Donations can also be made online by following the reindeer at http://www.hillside.com.