Giving Tree's success grows with generosity of community
From ancient times until today, the marketplace has been the spot for people to gather and not only exchange goods but also experience a sense of shared community.
For more than 25 years, our marketplace, Spring Hill Mall, has been a wonderful asset.
One of the mall's holiday traditions is the Giving Tree, located in the Macy's wing through Christmas Eve. Ornament gift tags are displayed on the tree with the names of area children, families and seniors and their special Christmas requests, provided by 15 local area nonprofit agencies. Shoppers are invited to visit the tree and select a gift tag.
"When we launched the Giving Tree 21 years ago, a program such as this did not exist in the greater Fox Valley area," said Diana Miller, general manager of Spring Hill Mall. "We are very proud to have made a difference in our communities and to have started such a wonderful philanthropic trend."
In many instances, the Giving Tree will provide people with the only gifts they receive during the holidays, she said. Agencies include Two Rivers Head Start, PADS, Senior Services, and Centro de Informacion.
Spring Hill Mall also allows some of these charities -- such as the Community Crisis Center, Boys and Girls Club of Dundee Township, Alternative Behavior Treatment Center and miscellaneous pet adoption agencies -- to raise money by providing special gift wrapping services. Starting Dec. 10 through Christmas Eve, agency volunteers for a nominal fee will use a variety of styles of high quality gloss gift wrap paper to make your present look perfect.
Also, children are invited to come and visit with Santa Claus, receive a free coloring book and see Santa's Wonderful Toy Factory near the fountain in the center court of the mall.
From 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Nov. 26, Santa has set aside a special time to visit with pets. Pet Night with Santa has become a tradition at the mall and some of the animals come specially dressed for the occasion. A leash is required.
To keep the community experience even more fulfilling, local groups will perform during the holiday season. It will start at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 with the Ambition Dance and Performing Arts followed at 8:15 p.m. with caroling by the Girl Scouts; at 5 p.m. Dec. 8 Gould Academy performers will dance and at 11 a.m. Dec. 9 Dancing Feet will perform. At 9 a.m. Dec. 11, Fox River Country Day School will present a musical.
For some, the holiday can't start soon enough. If you're wide awake after your Thanksgiving turkey dinner, Spring Hill will have a Rockin' Shoppin' Eve beginning at 11:30 p.m. Thursday. There will be an all-night holiday shopping party. Enjoy music, free coffee and cocoa, hourly raffle drawings and special bargains as you count down to the 1 a.m. opening of more than 90 percent of the stores.
If you get the chance make a holiday wish and toss some coins in the fountain as all the money collected goes to the local United Way and the many agencies it serves.