Through December 13, Hillside is once again inviting community members to become a Special Santa and help brighten the lives of thousands of children and their families who are served by the organization’s many programs.
For more than 40 years, the community has generously stepped up to provide new toys and gifts: Last year alone, more than 7,500 gifts and donations were provided to 3,000+ children and families served by the agency.
For the fourth consecutive year, KeyBank has proudly returned to serve as Presenting Sponsor for the respected holiday tradition. “Hillside’s Special Santa Toy and Gift Drive has become synonymous with the holiday spirit and season in Rochester,” said Vince Lecce, KeyBank Rochester Market President. “We are once again proud to serve as Presenting Sponsor, to make sure that children and their families will be able to share gifts and make memories during this special time of year.”
The Special Santa program offers multiple options for easy community participation:
- Make a convenient online donation, used by Hillside to purchase gifts for youth in care
- Shop online for gifts specifically requested by youth at Hillside’s Amazon Gift List
- Start a private fundraiser or neighborhood gift drive, supported by a giving page created by Hillside specific to your business or family.
- Drop off new, unwrapped toys and gifts at donation boxes located at dozens of KeyBank branches and additional partner sites throughout Western and Central New York.
“For many of the children served by Hillside, gifts received through Special Santa are the only presents they may receive during the holiday season,” said Maria Cristalli, Hillside President & CEO. “Each year, we ask the community to join our employees and the families of the youth we serve to join in a truly inspiring act of holiday generosity. We’re so grateful for the extraordinary support of Special Santa—and particularly for the commitment of our Presenting Sponsor, KeyBank.”