Photo (Left to Right): Hunter Davis, Grahame Richardson, Katie Wilson-Martel (Volunteer Coordinator Fare Share), Meghan Flindall (Executive Director, Fare Share), and Cheryl Baker (The Giving Tree Coordinator)
The Northumberland Giving Tree is asking the community for help after losing access to a critical piece of its annual holiday operation.
For years, the program has relied on donated space at Northumberland Mall to sort, store and distribute gifts to families across the county. That space is no longer available, leaving organizers searching for a new location ahead of this year’s campaign.
Coordinator Cheryl Baker says the loss presents a significant challenge.
The Giving Tree supports more than 1,200 children each year, working with local agencies to ensure families receive gifts during the holiday season.
Baker says the space requirements are substantial and often not visible to the public.
In addition to storage, the space must accommodate volunteers who sort donations by age group using 20 to 25 tables, and allow for easy access for deliveries from community partners such as fire departments and local organizations like the Salvation Army.
Organizers are hoping to find a heated, secure space that is free or low cost, with access to a washroom and enough room for pallets and incoming donations.
The space would be needed from late October through December.
Anyone with information about a suitable location is asked to contact northumberlandgivingtree@gmail.com.
Baker says community support will be key to ensuring the Giving Tree can continue helping families this holiday season.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
