In its Biggest Year Ever, BankRI’s Holiday Giving Tree leads to 3,708 Gifts for Kids

Posted 12/29/21

Staff of BankRI’s Park Avenue branch in Cranston stand with a few of the nearly 100 gifts donated at their location for kids served by AIDS Care Ocean State. Across the city, the …

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In its Biggest Year Ever, BankRI’s Holiday Giving Tree leads to 3,708 Gifts for Kids

Left to right: Lynne Desantis, Assistant Branch Manager; Jennifer Kilday, Branch Manager; Tiffany Lee, Teller Supervisor; Kelly Berek, Senior Teller; Kelly Hall, Senior Teller; Michaela Johnston, Senior Banking Representative; and Kevin Vieira, Financial Specialist.

Left to right: Lydia Himmighoefer, Teller; Leyna Beaudoin, Universal Banker; Linda Lussier, Senior Teller; Amanda Guarini, Teller Supervisor; Rebecca Lonardo, Senior Teller; Chantelle Croft, Senior Banker; and Rich Anderson, Park Avenue Assistant Branch Manager.

Staff of BankRI’s Park Avenue branch in Cranston stand with a few of the nearly 100 gifts donated at their location for kids served by AIDS Care Ocean State. Across the city, the bank’s three branches collected more than 400 presents in support of Comprehensive Community Action Program, SSTARbirth, and AIDS Care Ocean State. Statewide, the effort enjoyed its biggest year yet, leading to 3,708 presents for kids.

Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2021 4:29 pm

More than 1,000 children across the state are enjoying a brighter holiday season thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) customers, staff, and the community. In its 24th year, the Bank’s annual Holiday Giving Tree program saw its largest collection ever, leading to 3,708 gifts for kids served by local nonprofits.

“This was an incredible display of kindness by people wanting to help make a real difference at a time of year that so many children look forward to,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, BankRI’s president and CEO. “We all understand the current times, so seeing our longstanding Giving Tree program have its best year yet is very special. I’m grateful to everyone who gave.”

Beginning Nov. 1, all BankRI branches displayed a giving tree in their lobby, decorated with ornaments representing the holiday wish of a child served by that branch’s nonprofit partner. Throughout the effort, people selected ornaments and later returned to that branch to place their donated gifts beneath the tree. To ensure everyone had the opportunity to participate while remaining safe, BankRI also offered ornament information by phone and curbside dropoff of presents.

As of Dec. 21, all gifts have been given to the Bank’s nonprofit partners for distribution to children, making sure they would reach their new homes in time for the holiday.

BankRI’s nonprofit partners for the 2021 Holiday Giving Tree program are: Adoption Rhode Island, AIDS Care Ocean State, Angel in Action RI, Boys & Girls Clubs of Warwick, Community Care Alliance, Comprehensive Community Action Program, Connecting for Children and Families, Domestic Violence Program of CrossroadsRI, East Bay Community Action Program, Jonnycake Center for Hope, Kingstown Crossings, Lucy’s Hearth, Providence Housing Authority, SSTARbirth, Town of Lincoln Holiday Basket Program, and Tri-County Community Action Agency.