Third annual ‘Gift of Giving'

MILFORD — Last year, Safe Haven provided holiday gifts to over 400 children. For many, they were the only gifts they received. Safe Haven’s staff experienced so many touching moments - from hearing stories of families in need, to donations that showed up mysteriously at the door when the staff members were starting to feel they couldn’t help all those in need. This year, the organization is expecting a much greater need and has come up with a way to reach out further into the community. Volunteers are creating handmade ornaments to be placed on trees throughout Pike County. Each ornament will have a tag attached to it stating the first name, age, and a few gift ideas for that child. A sponsor picks an ornament from the tree to keep; Safe Haven in return asks for unwrapped gifts along with the tag for the child being sponsored. Taking a name and sponsoring a child can add the spirit of the season, give hope to a child and show that others do care. You don’t need to get everything on the wish list, the gift ideas are only suggestions. There aren’t any monetary requirements to participate in the “Gift of Giving” project. Gifts are to be dropped off by Friday, Dec. 18, at the same location where the ornament was picked up, or at the Safe Haven office. The organization encourages anyone and everyone to participate and experience the immense joy of giving from the heart. A tree with name tag ornaments will be placed on the Safe Haven porch. In addition, there will be other trees throughout Pike County. Those interested may call Safe Haven’s Development Specialist/Community Outreach Coordinator Sheila Korick, at 570-296-2827, for more information and to find a tree nearby.

Ornament makers
Local organizations include the Pike County Developmental Center, Pike County Youth Coalition, Milford Hill Learning Center, the Girl Scouts, Brownies, Cub Scouts, and female inmates in the Pike County Correctional Facility enrolled in the H.O.P.E (Helping Offenders Promote Excellence) Program, The Area of Aging, and Safe Haven volunteers
Gift recipients
Gifts will go to clients of Safe Haven, the Center for Developmental Disabilities, Pike County Children & Youth, and children of incarcerated parents at the Pike County Correctional Facility, Catholic Social Services, Mental Health Mental Retardation, Delaware Valley and Wallenpaupack school districts.