Time To Shop For A Senior At Hitching Post's Giving Tree/Secret Santa

The list of events that signal the coming of winter include the obvious, falling leaves, falling temperatures, and maybe even the start of the Bruins and Celtics seasons. In Reading there's one more, the third annual Hitching Post Senior Citizen Giving Tree/Secret Santa event.

Here's how it works. Residents submit the name of a local elderly friend, neighbor, or family member, including a few gift suggestions. Forms are available at the Hitching Post on Haven Street or by emailing jburns@ci.reading.ma.us. Then drop the form in the box at the Pleasant Street Center by Nov. 3.

An anonymous tag will hang on the tree at the Hitching Post Gift Shop. Shoppers purchase gifts based upon the tags and return them to the Hitching Post. The gifts will be distributed at a party at the Pleasant Street Center in mid-December. Gifts will be delivered to homebound Reading seniors as well.

Photo by Bob Holmes