Follow the Reindeer!

A special thank you

specialsantareindeer — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:15:45 +0000

The 2009 Hillside Special Santa program has come to a successful end, meaning that more than 5,000 children, teens and their families learned there really is a Santa. Whether you were a volunteer or a donor, you were a true Hillside Special Santa to one of more of our children and families.

On Christmas Eve, we received word that three children were being admitted to a crisis intervention program, and were in need of gifts. Our staff had been getting “silly” winding down from a very busy month, and suddenly all was quiet. With a goal of serving more than 5,000 children, we were quite touched with the reality of these three youngsters coming into our care on Christmas Eve. Fortunately, our staff was able to find just the right items for each of them.

You are a part of our success in helping our children believe. As a Hillside Special Santa, you have made a difference in the lives of thousands. Thank you so much for sharing your holiday spirit with us. We extend our most heartfelt wishes to you and your families for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year.

Sally J. Bohne

Director of Hillside Special Santas

Volunteer Groups Step it Up at Hillside Special Santas

specialsantareindeer — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:47:46 +0000

Whoa! The last few weeks have been a total blur at Hillside Special Santas Headquarters. Now that we are in the home stretch before Christmas, we want to take a few moments to than our wonderful volunteers who have our program possible this year:

1st-time volunteers, Paetec

Wegman’s Nature’s Marketplace

Catalyst Direct

Banana Republic Marketplace

Greece Ridge Old Navy

Duchess Restaurant serves up holiday joy

specialsantareindeer — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:32:33 +0000

During the holidays, Duchess Restaurant in Penfield, NY isn’t just serving up good food. They’re also serving up an opportunity to help Rochester-area children, teens, and families in need.

For more than 20 years, Duchess Restaurant has been partnering with Hillside Special Santas. This year, the restaurant is displaying hundreds of Hillside Special Santas gift tags, each one describing a specific child’s holiday gift wish. Diners at the restaurant were asked to take a tag home after enjoying their meal, purchase a corresponding gift, and then return the new, unwrapped gift to the restaurant.

“Our customers look forward to it every year. They ask every year when we’re going to start collecting gifts for the children,” said the restaurant’s owner George Naselaris, noting that the customers have always been very kind and charitable with their donations to Hillside Special Santas.

The offer to collect donations is greatly appreciated by Hillside Special Santas. The program is seeking to fulfill the holiday gift wishes of more than hundreds of children and teens in Rochester and the surrounding area this year.

“The simple act of making Hillside Special Santas gift tags available to the many people who eat at Duchess Restaurant demonstrates a true dedication to youth and families,” said Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director.

Thumbs Up! to Greater Rochester Association of Realtors

specialsantareindeer — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:18:43 +0000

Thumbs up to Greater Rochester Association of Realtors. More than 125 gifts for 10-16 year olds, the highest population of kids being served through Hillside Special Santas, were collected at its annual holiday dinner this year. For more than 15 years the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors has supported Hillside Special Santas, resulting in more than 2,500 gifts for Hillside youth.

“Thanks to the generous support from Greater Rochester Association of Realtors over the years, Hillside Family of Agencies is able to reach out to thousands of youth and families during the holidays. We are grateful for the loyalty of this valuable community partner to Hillside Special Santas,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director.

Drive in and help out the community at Driver’s Village this holiday season

specialsantareindeer — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:39:12 +0000

Once again this holiday season, people who stop into Driver’s Village will be able to help fulfill the holiday gift wishes of children and teens in Syracuse and the surrounding area.

As a Hillside Special Santas Community Partner, Driver’s Village is displaying hundreds of Hillside Special Santas gift tags, each one describing a specific child’s wish, this year in the center of the shoppes inside. Visitors to Driver’s Village are asked to take a tag home after their visit, and purchase a corresponding gift. New, unwrapped gifts should be returned by December 17 to Driver’s Village.

“The partnership with Driver’s Village is truly a gift,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director. “The simple act of making Hillside Special Santas gift tags available to the many people that visit Driver’s Village demonstrates a true dedication to youth and families.”

Hillside Special Santas anticipates needing hundreds of gifts for children and teens in Syracuse and the surrounding area this holiday. Hillside Special Santas is working to meet this gift goal by partnering with businesses and organizations like the Driver’s Village. For more information on how you or your organization can get involved and become Hillside Special Santas this holiday, please call Hillside Special Santas at (315) 258-2191 or follow the reindeer at http://www.hillside.com.

A “superior” way to help Hillside Special Santas this holiday

specialsantareindeer — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:02:42 +0000

Superior Wood Furniture, 469 Ridge Road West, is helping to fulfill the holiday wishes of more than 6,000 children and teens in Rochester and the surrounding area this year by giving the gift of savings for customers who make a donation to Hillside Special Santas at their store through December 17, 2009.

According to Superior Wood Furniture’s Robin Fisher anyone who makes a cash donation to Hillside Special Santas at Superior Wood Furniture will receive 5 percent off any purchase.

“I’m a strong believer in Hillside’s mission to help children and families in our community,” says Fisher.

“The offer of this savings to people who are donating is truly a gift in itself. It is an act of kindness that demonstrates a true dedication to youth and families in need,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director.

For more information on donating to Hillside Special Santas, please call Hillside Special Santas at (585) 256-7630 or follow the reindeer at http://www.hillside.com.

Hillside Special Santas’ need is high for teen-focused gifts this holiday

specialsantareindeer — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:45:28 +0000

Hillside Special Santas is in high need of gifts to fulfill the holiday wishes of the hundreds of children and teens Hillside Family of Agencies serves.

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. The highest need the program is experiencing is gifts for teenagers.

“Teenagers, both boys and girls, make up a majority of who Hillside serves. As a result, we have a great need for new, unwrapped gifts that are teen-focused during the holidays,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director.

Some of the top gift requests Hillside Special Santas are receiving from teens include: adult size medium to XXL hoodies; electronic and board games; duffel or sports bags; basketballs, footballs, and fishing poles; hats, gloves, earmuffs, and socks; sports watches for girls and guys; cologne, lotion, and make-up kits; and new books.

“We’re very thankful for all of the community’s support in helping us to fulfill the holiday gift wishes of so many of the teens we serve. The joy that each gifts brings to these young men and women is immeasurable and would not be possible without the generosity of the people who donate to Hillside Special Santas,” says Bohne.

For more information on how to help Hillside Special Santas answer the needs for teen-focused gifts this holiday, please call Hillside Special Santas at (585) 256-7630, (716) 848-6416, or (315) 258-2191 or follow the reindeer at http://www.hillside.com.

Country 106.5 WYRK holds toy drive to benefit Hillside Special Santas

specialsantareindeer — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:33:06 +0000

WHO: Representatives from Country 106.5 WYRK, Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart employees, Hillside Special Santas staff members, and donors.

WHAT: Country 106.5 WYRK will be holding a toy drive at Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart to encourage gift donations to Hillside Special Santas for the children and teens in need Hillside Family of Agencies serves.

WHEN: December 9, 2009

WHERE: Niagara Hobby and Craft Mart 3366 Union Road Cheektowaga, NY 14225

We need New Clothing Donations!

specialsantareindeer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:10:30 +0000

As our volunteer groups cycle in and out, filling program after program, we are beginning to notice where we’re falling short on gifts. As of today, teen hoodies and warm clothing for little boys (ages 2-10) are in high need. In size lingo, that’s size Adult M- XXL hoodies, and size 2t-4t andChild S-XL sweatshirts, sweaters, and fleeces.

We know its fun for everyone to shop for little kids toys and dolls, but please remember that clothing items are in high demand. Consider being a Hillside Special Santa by donating a clothing item that will keep a little boy or teen warm this holiday season.

As a reminder, all gift donations must be new.

Give yourself the most-meaningful holiday gift: Be a Hillside Special Santa today!

Please call our office at (585)256-7630, or follow the reindeer at www.hillside.com for more details.

How bagels add to the holiday spirit of giving this year

specialsantareindeer — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:24:23 +0000

The Bagel Bin Café at 2600 Elmwood Avenue in Brighton is getting in the holiday spirit by partnering with Hillside Special Santas to collect new, unwrapped gifts for children and families in need this year.

Throughout the holiday season this year, anyone who stops into the Bagel Bin Café can select a gift tag from the Hillside Special Santas drop box located there. The gift tag includes the name of a child Hillside Family of Agencies serves and the child’s gift wish. New, unwrapped gifts can then be dropped off at the Bagel Bin until December 21.

“The partnership with the Bagel Bin Café is truly a gift,” says Sally Bohne, Hillside Special Santas director. “The simple act of making Hillside Special Santas gift tags available to the many people who stop in to the Bagel Bin for coffee or a meal demonstrates a true dedication to youth and families.”

Hillside Special Santas anticipates needing more than 6,000 gifts for children and teens in Rochester and the surrounding area this holiday. Hillside Special Santas is working to meet this gift goal by partnering with businesses and organizations like the Bagel Bin Café. For more information on how your organization can get involved, follow the reindeer at http://www.hillside.com.