Giving Tree Project Spreads Holiday Cheer

A Giving tree Project Christmas tree in Lowell Thomas. Credit: Ava Battinelli '26

Marist College’s Department of Spiritual Life and Service is spreading kindness this holiday season with the Giving Tree Project. 

Continuing a 30-year tradition, The Giving Tree Project is a donation-based program that aims to help those who are less fortunate. To participate, Marist faculty, staff and students are asked to buy clothes, toys and living necessities for anonymous families during the holiday season.

Students can participate by finding a Christmas tree on campus and selecting an ornament. This year’s Giving Trees can be found across campus in Donnelly, Lowell Thomas, the James A. Cannavino Library, Fontaine, Hancock, Allied Health, the Champagnat breezeway and at MPorium in Steel Plant.

“The Giving Tree Project is so wholesome,” said Maria Marcinelli ‘26. “It’s really heartwarming how students want to help those in need. I hope Marist continues to do programs like this.”

The ornaments are color-coded based on the needs and wishes of families, along with a description of a gift to purchase. It is then up to the student to purchase and wrap the gift for the family in need. The Chapel will accept gifts between Dec. 1-10. 

The Department of Spiritual Life and Service will partner with six separate organizations and charities in the Poughkeepsie area: Catholic Charities, Dutchess Outreach, Family Services Inc., Grace Smith House, Poughkeepsie Family Literacy Program (SARCA) and ESL & GED Program: BOCES. 

According to Rachel Duran, office assistant for the Department of Spiritual Life and Service, each group provides the information of six families they're representing and does their best to accommodate them.

This year, the Giving Tree Project will provide gifts to 30 families, totaling roughly 200 toys, articles of clothing, or other necessities that have been requested. “On average, we receive a total of 700 - 900 gifts donated each year by students, faculty, and staff,” said Duran. 

While this number seems high, The Giving Tree Project has collected 21,170 gifts for families in the area since 1993 and looks forward to adding to that number this year.

Marist Student Government Association member Matt Thompson founded the Giving Tree Project at Marist in 1991. It is currently run by Brother Frank Kelly, Director of Spiritual Life and Service.

“Brother Frank Kelly inherited this wonderful program in 1998 and has been going strong ever since,” said Duran. The Department of Spiritual Life and Service is an on-campus organization. According to the Marist website, this organization’s mission is “to support the spiritual and religious development of students as they respond to God's presence in their lives.”

Despite being drawn from its Judeo-Christian roots and the heritage of the Marist Brothers, the department welcomes students of all faith traditions and supports students' diverse spiritual and religious growth.

The Department of Spiritual Life and Service encourages students to attend the Giving Tree Mass on Sunday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. and the Giving Tree Ceremony at 7:25 p.m.