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 27, through Sunday, December 18. 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.

A celebration to launch The Giving Tree program is slated for 1 pm, Sunday, November 27, 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 a Brunch with Santa on December 4 at The Mount Washington Hotel’s Sun Dining Room, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Donations of $10.00 for adults, $6.00 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.

On December 17 there will be a NASTAR Ski Race at Bretton Woods Mountain Resort from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm with the fee of $5.00 for 2 runs or $10.00 for all-day NASTAR unlimited runs going to The Giving Tree. Racers also have the option of making a food, clothing, or toy donation to The Giving Tree in lieu of the standard NASTAR fee.

The closing ceremony of The Giving Tree will be held December 18 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The closing ceremony will feature the return of a special holiday concert by noted musician Tim Janis. 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 with children in need, as well as The Lynsey House, a homeless shelter located in Lancaster, NH and operated by the Tri-County Community Action Programs, and New Hampshire Catholic Charities, who provide a wide range of social services to persons regardless of creed, social, or economic background. The Giving Tree will also donate to many area food pantries, including the Littleton Food Pantry, Salvation Army Food Pantry/Soup Kitchen, Good Neighbor Food Pantry, St. Matthew’s Church, and the Whitefield Baptist Church.

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. Packages of socks, sweat suits, unwrapped new toys, gifts for all ages (including adults), non-perishable food items, bedding, home furnishings and monetary donations will also be gratefully accepted.

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 McQueeny at 603-278-3349. To learn more about The Mount Washington Resort, please call 877-873-0626, toll free, or visit www.mtwashington.com.