BankRI's Giving Tree To Aid Connecting With Children And Familes Kids

's holiday charity Giving Tree is back, and Therese Curtin, Executive Director of the nonprofit said she's glad to have the help.

For the past 14 years, the bank has used the Giving Tree program to bring local children in need to the attention of those who can provide it for a happier holiday. Curtin said her agency, located at 46 Hope St., offers child care, educational programs, health initiatives, and social services to local families, and has had BankRI's assistance for the last two years.

"We were very excited when we were approached by the branch manager, Liane Presley" for the 2011 holiday season, she said.

All 17 BankRI branches will display a Holiday Giving Tree starting Nov. 25. Local non-profit organizations provide each branch with ornaments showing the wish lists of children they serve, to be hung on the tree in each bank's lobby. On the front of each ornament, the child's name and age is printed. The back will have a list of gifts for them — clothing, toys, books, shoes, etc.

BankRI customers and employees are asked to select a child in need and provide gifts to brighten that child’s holiday. A few days before Christmas, Curtin said, they collect the toys to give them to the children's families.

"They're all wrapped up and they have the child's name on the gift," Curtin said.

This year, Curtin said, she has a list of 20 children she's planning to drop off at Bank RI this afternoon.

"We certainly have more families," she added — about 10 to 20 more who could use some help, and whose names will be added to the tree if the first group of ornaments is claimed quickly.

This season seems tough for families that weren't in need this time last year, Curtin said, with more than usual attending the agency's food pantry every Tuesday and clothing distribution every Wednesday.

"People who come in are, for the most part, people who have been working" until recently, and most aren't aware of the services available to them, she explained . 

Alan P. Melidossian, BankRI Marketing and Product Manager, said it's tough to estimate how many families they've helped altogether. However, he said, each branch has at least 20 names of children in need.

"Each year every name is taken — many customers and employees go beyond purchasing what is listed as the identified gift for the child, with many more supplement gifts," Melidossian said.

"It's a tremendous and generous project for them to take on, and we are really very grateful," Curtin said.