Nov. 9, 2007

PHOTO GALLERY

CHAPEL HILL --- Head coach Sylvia Hatchell and members of the North Carolina women's basketball team helped kick off the annual Christmas House Wish Tree Wednesday night at University Mall. Christmas House is the Chapel Hill Service League's signature annual community project. For more than half a century, this event has helped to make the holidays brighter for financially disadvantaged families in the Chapel Hill area. With the generous support of the community, hundreds of new toys, books and coats are collected and beautifully displayed for a one-day shopping spree at the Binkley Memorial Baptist Church. Parents and guardians of needy children are invited to select just the perfect gifts for their families. Last year, more than 800 children were served.

There are numerous toy drives during the holiday season. Christmas House is distinguished by two unique qualities. First, the festivities of Christmas House are designed for the parents and guardians of the children, rather than the children themselves. We promote the ability of the families to select the gifts based on their knowledge of their own children's interests and talents. The joy this provides the parents is immeasurable and makes gift giving more meaningful. Second, Christmas House provides the entire community the opportunity to join together in a single project of sharing. Individuals, businesses and organizations donate funds, goods and services to make Christmas House a success.

For more information on Christmas House, visit www.chapelhillserviceleague.org.