HUNTINGTON — Presents, clothing, books and other items were delivered over the holiday season to local children under the Hilltown Holiday Help program.

The Hilltown Community Health Center, along with the Gateway Regional School District National Honor Society, coordinated the program, as they have for over 20 years.

“It truly is the work of the community as a whole,” said Kim Savery, director of community programs for the Health Center. “We are blessed to live in a place where your friends and neighbors can be counted on. In the season of giving, it is a love letter to the community from the community.”

Thousands of dollars in donations came in from more than 60 donors, through a boot drive coordinated with the National Honor Society and the Huntington Fire Department, a GoFundMe fundraiser, and from checks mailed in. Over 20 individuals and families “adopted” families in need.

“Donations of toys, hand-knitted items, winter coats, gift certificates, books, holiday meals, clothing and more have poured in since the start of the campaign,” Savery said. “Local businesses and nonprofits have been extremely generous as well.”

After receiving wish lists from families, volunteers went to work. At Thanksgiving, turkeys and meals were delivered to local families in need. Volunteers started shopping, soliciting donations and organizing donations and purchases for recipients. In addition to food and gifts, families were helped in other ways.

“We had a cord of wood delivered to a family in Worthington and furnishings for an apartment for a young family with very little.”

Savery offered thanks to all who participated.

“We would like to give a special thanks to our staff, the Blandford Country Store, the Huntington branch of the Westfield Bank, The United Way of Pioneer Valley, Jo’s Jackets, staff at Gateway Regional, the team at the Toys for Tots site, John Bergeron and the Huntington Lions Club, the Chester Baptist Church, the First Congregational Church and the very generous individuals and other organizations who donated.”