‘Secret Santas' to donate holiday toys to needy children

SPARTA - First Hope Bank is working with Pass It Along, a non-profit organization located within the Bank’s Sparta office, to give customers the opportunity to donate holiday gifts anonymously to children of low-income families in Sussex County this holiday season. “Every year, hundreds of families go without care during the holiday season,” said Diane Taylor, executive director of Pass It Along. “We want no one to go unwanted or unloved this holiday season.” “Pass It Along and First Hope were astounded by the generosity shown in our recent collections for Katrina survivors, and I’m sure we’ll be astonished once again,” said Norman E. Beatty, bank president. “I am always amazed at the generosity of First Hope customers and associates.” Beatty said anyone interested in donating a holiday gift may stop by the bank’s Andover or Sparta office to choose a gift tag from the “Giving Tree” displayed in each office. “The tag will list the child’s sex, age and the desired gift. Or you may donate a gift for a boy or girl of any age for Pass It Along’s ‘Toy Shoppe,’ where families in need can shop for the holidays free of charge. Those unwrapped gifts should also be brought to our Andover or Sparta office.” The deadline for returning the unwrapped gifts to either office is Dec. 5.