Extend Kindness Branch With Anchor Bay Giving Tree

As Christmas trees are erected throughout New Baltimore and Chesterfield Township, several of them represent a special kind of giving.

The Anchor Bay Community Giving Tree offers the opportunity for local residents to buy and donate gifts for local families in need by Dec. 14. By late November, the giving tree was sponsoring 46 families from Macomb and St Clair counties, with more registering and qualifying each day, according to Sherry Lawfield, chairwoman of the Anchor Bay Community Giving Tree Holiday Charity Program.

Giving tree has deep community roots

The giving tree is rooted in community partnerships that forged in 1999 when the giving tree committee joined a Macomb County Girl Scout troop and New Baltimore police to help underprivileged children during the holidays. Eventually, the program branched out to local businesses, residents and volunteers with fire departments, churches and schools helping find elgible recipient families, according its website.

The giving tree has helped more than 1,700 children and more than 765 local families in slightly more than a decade since launching. All of the giving tree proceeds and donations directly benefit the families. The group donates food during Thanksgiving and Christmas along with items such as warm clothes, boots, coats and toys.

Where to give?

The Anchor Bay Community Giving Tree locations are:

• New Baltimore City Hall
• Chesterfield Township Municipal Offices
• New Baltimore Parks and Recreation Center
• Thee New Green Street Tavern
• MacDonald Public Library
• Pennzoil/Kel-Mac Car Care Center

How does it work?

• Take a tag from the tree
• Buy the gift from the tag
• Wrap the gift
• Firmly secure the tag to the gift
• Return the gift to any giving tree location by Dec. 14

Pancake breakfast with Santa

The pancake breakfast with Santa at New Baltimore Fire Department from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 2 will benefit the Anchor Bay Community Giving Tree Holiday Charity Program. Bring your camera for pictures with Santa.

For more information about the giving tree, visit its website.