Want to know how to give back to your community? There are lots of ways, but the Hamilton Public Library is making it easy for you this holiday season. First, we’re changing the way we handle our “wish tree.” In previous years, we had asked our patrons to take an ornament with an item on it that we wanted to add to our collection. Patrons would then donate money to cover the cost of the item and we would add it to our system. We are very grateful for the responses the Wish Tree has generated, as well as the donations. In all, we averaged between $300 – $400 in new books, DVDs, ice skates, American Girl clothes, and robots. 

While that tradition is nice, this year we thought we would try something new. In coordination with the Mid-York Interfaith Holiday Project, we are collecting gifts for area children in need instead of items for our collection. All you have to do is stop in, grab an ornament, purchase the gift on the ornament, wrap it, and return it to our tree by Monday, December 16 at noon. Just make sure you include the ornament on the outside of the gift!

What? You want more opportunities to donate? Okay! We’re also hosting a Grinchmas Pajama Storytime and Brunch here on Saturday, December 14th at 11 a.m. Come to storytime, have some brunch provided by the Friends of the Library and grow your heart three sizes by donating a new, unwrapped toy (or toys) to donate to the Interfaith Holiday Project. You can also donate wrapping paper, mittens, hats, and coats to the box in our back entrance. 

We hope you keep all this in mind when you’re shopping for gifts this season. Thank you for changing along with us this year and for making this year special for everyone. Now go enjoy the decorations, music, and eggnog! Thanks for reading.