BRETTON WOODS, New Hampshire — In the spirit of the season, the staff and guests of The Mount Washington Resort will help brighten the holidays for local people in need. The Giving Tree provides an opportunity for local residents, employees, guests and others associated with The Mount Washington Resort to donate toys, clothing and non-perishable food items that will be distributed through local assistance agencies.

Donations will be accepted Sunday, November 26, through Sunday, December 17. Every afternoon, from 2 to 7 pm, hotel guests, staff members and neighbors from the community are invited to donate to the Giving Tree. Complimentary refreshments will be served each day. Two decorated Giving Trees will be located around the Resort: in The Mount Washington Hotel Lobby and at the Bretton Woods Mountain Resort Base Lodge. Donations may also be made at the Nordic Center. Donors are asked to visit The Giving Tree and select a tag with a child’s age and gender, and then purchase an item for the child and drop it off at the Hotel or Ski Area, unwrapped.

A celebration to launch The Giving Tree program is slated for 1 pm, Sunday, November 26, at The Mount Washington Hotel. The Giving Tree lighting ceremony, in the Lobby of the Hotel, with live entertainment, refreshments, a visit from Santa Claus, gingerbread cookie decorating for children, along with other events, will kick off the season of giving in grand style.

Events planned during The Giving Tree include The Giving Tree Lunch Buffet with Santa on December 3 at The Mount Washington Hotel’s Sun Dining Room, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Donations of $10.00 for adults, $3.00 for children will be accepted at the door. No charge for children under 3 years of age. Photos with Santa will be available for $5.00. A Raffle will be held during the event, with tickets available at 3 for $1, 7 for $2, or 21 for $5. Children can creatively contribute with free ornament making and a coloring contest. The Hotel’s own McClenathans will provide music.

The closing ceremony will feature the return of a special holiday concert by noted musician Tim Janis December 17 at 1:00 pm. Monetary donations will be accepted at the door. All proceeds will benefit The Giving Tree. Santa will be on hand to present the donations to the charities. Refreshments will be served and more. With eight Billboard Charting CDs, one million albums sold, two National Public Television Specials, and a constant touring presence, Tim Janis’s uplifting instrumental music fills a strong place in music fans’ lives across America and worldwide. His unique gift to create emotional melodies and craft lush and soothing orchestral soundscapes has won him fans in all areas. Most importantly, though, is Janis’s commitment to helping others through his music and through his philanthropic music projects. With a remarkable work ethic, he truly creates “Music with a Mission” in all senses. Janis takes as many opportunities as possible to use his music both to uplift people and further important causes.

This season The Giving Tree will support local schools, as well as The Blain House, a homeless shelter and food pantry located in Lancaster, NH and operated by the Tri-County Community Action Programs, and New Hampshire Catholic Charities. The Giving Tree will also donate to many area food pantries, including the Littleton Food Pantry, Good Neighbor Food Pantry in Franconia, St. Matthew’s Church in Whitefield and St. Patrick’s Church in Twin Mountain. All food pantries will gratefully accept non-perishable canned or dry foods.

Items requested for donation include warm clothing, jackets, boots, mittens and hats as well as any new or gently used, worn and cleaned clothing for children of all ages. Baby clothes, unwrapped new toys, gifts for all ages (including adults), non-perishable food items, bedding, home furnishings and monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted. All donors who sign a guest book will be entered in a raffle to win an overnight stay at The Mount Washington Hotel.

For more information about how to make a donation to the Giving Tree or to volunteer your time, please contact Giving Tree Committee Chairperson Sue McQueeney at 603-278-2250. To learn more about The Mount Washington Resort, please call 877-873-0626, toll free, or visit www.mtwashington.com.