BankRI Kicks Off Annual Giving Tree Program

A local bank is about to start its 16th annual Holiday Giving Tree program in the hopes of making the holidays a little less stressful for area families struggling to make ends meet and still have a nice holiday.

On Friday, November 22, all BankRI locations across the state will kick-off this year’s Holiday Giving Tree program; helping to provide Rhode Island children in need with gifts this holiday season.

For the program, each of BankRI’s 18 branches will display a Holiday Giving Tree in its lobby and partner with a non-profit that provides each location with the wish lists of children they serve. Each child’s holiday wish will be placed on an ornament and hung on the Holiday Giving Tree. Bank customers and staff are encouraged to select an ornament representing a child in need and provide gifts that will help brighten their holiday. Members of the community may then return to their branch to place the unwrapped gifts beneath the Holiday Giving Tree.

“Our Holiday Giving Tree program is a long-standing tradition that demonstrates the commitment of both our customers and staff to helping the community,” said Mark J. Meiklejohn, President and CEO, BankRI. “When I think about the number of gifts donated and given to children and families over these past 15 years, I know we’re making a difference and brightening the holidays for those who need it most—I have no doubt that this year’s effort will be a success.”

Local non-profit organizations partnering with BankRI include: Adoption Rhode Island, Aids Care Ocean State, Connecting for Children & Families, Crossroads North Kingstown, East Bay Community Action Program, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Family Resources Community Action, House of Hope, SSTARBIRTH, ‘Tis the Season, Tri-Town Community Action, and Women’s Center of Rhode Island.