Annual Giving Tree Hopes To Brighten Local Children's Holidays

BREWSTER – The Brewster Ladies’ Library is once again settling into its role as the bearer of holiday magic. 

 Every year as the holiday season approaches, the library sets up its annual Giving Tree — a program to benefit local children in need. A tree is set up and decorated with paper ornaments displaying the name of a child and their wishes for the holiday season. Wrapped items or gift cards are then returned to the library by Dec. 16 with the ornament displaying the child’s name. 

 The library has been partnering with the state’s Department of Children and Families for over 20 years. 

 The state department works with a private, nonprofit organization called Wonderfund to organize the program. The mission of the Wonderfund is to “serve the children engaged with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families by investing in services that provide emergency essentials and enrichment opportunities to help insulate them from the negative impacts of trauma.” 

 On a smaller scale, local organizations like the library work with the Family to Family program so that local children in the community receive holiday gifts.

“This is a popular program every year so please get your snowflakes early,” said the library’s official announcement. “Thank you for helping to make the holiday season brighter for Cape Cod children in need!”