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News &
Events
For nearly 20 years, the Open Door
Bookstore & Gift Gallery on Jay Street
in Schenectady has brought the joy of
reading to our youth and families. Soon
after purchasing the store in 1992,
owners Janet and John Hutchison were
introduced to Northeast by Open Door
newsletter editor and Northeast
volunteer Lynn Blankman. Moved by
Northeast's mission, Janet created the
Giving Tree holiday book drive, which
has resulted in the donation of
thousands of books over the life of the
program.
 Open
Door customers purchase books to donate
to the program at discounted prices.
Their names are inscribed on ornaments,
which are then hung on the Giving Tree
prominently displayed in the store's
front window. Janet and her staff are
always available to help donors select
the right title. "We make sure that
there are donations for all ages and all
reading levels," Janet said.
The Open Door posts signs throughout
the store and this year sent out a
mailing to customers, encouraging them
to support the Giving Tree to provide
books for our Holiday Hope Fund. The
store has also worked with local schools
to help Northeast, encouraging classes
to raise money to purchase books to
donate. "I'm always looking to see a
child connect with a special book,"
Janet said.
New ornaments are appearing on the
Giving Tree every day and the first
delivery of books from the Open Door to
our Holiday Hope Headquarters is coming
up soon. "Before long, we'll be carrying
boxes over," laughed Janet. "It's grown
to several hundred books each year!"
Northeast gives its deepest thanks to
Janet, John and everyone involved with
the Open Door Bookstore for supporting
the Holiday Hope Fund!
****************************************************************
The Albany office of EYP Architecture and Engineering recently
kicked off its 25th annual drive to support Northeast's youth
and families. Led by Graphic Designer Liz White, EYP/Albany has set up a
virtual "Giving Tree" on their office intranet and is encouraging all
110 employees to get involved.
Liz, a longtime EYP employee, placed a feature story on the Holiday
Hope Fund on EYP's "Hub," a virtual meeting place for all employees. She
also coordinates regular emails to all staffers with gift ideas and
other ways to support Holiday Hope. And while technology has made it
easier to reach her fellow employees, Liz and EYP haven't forgotten that
old-fashioned methods work well too. The company is holding a bagel sale
for employees, with all proceeds going to
Holiday Hope.
"We try to keep giving as simple as we can," says Liz. "The way
Holiday Hope is set up makes it so easy for us." The Hub story features
Northeast's complete wish list, instructions on where to bring donations
and information on the long relationship between the agencies.
Liz has been involved with Northeast both personally and
professionally for over 16 years. "We have received touching thank-yous
from so many families over the years," she says. "As long as I'm around,
I'll be here for Northeast and for Holiday Hope!"
****************************************************************
 Derek
Holden just celebrated his 12th birthday, but thanks to his
kindness Holiday Hope Fund got the presents! Derek, who was first
fostered and later adopted by a Northeast family, asked his friends and
relatives to buy gifts for children of all ages and genders instead of
gifts for him.
Derek
beamed as he carried a box overflowing with toys and games into
Northeast’s Queensbury office the other day, followed by his parents,
Frank and Shari, and brother Neftaly. Family specialist Judy Davis,
who’s known Derek since he was three, led him into a conference room
where everyone from the office was waiting.
Derek’s smile got even brighter as everyone clapped and cheered, and he
was presented with a thank you gift and birthday card signed by everyone
in the office. He proudly read out each birthday greeting, basking in
the glow of his good deed.
A
former resident of the Shaffer Children’s Shelter, Derek has never
forgotten about the difficulties Northeast’s youth and families face.
“He has always shown concern for the children who haven’t yet found
homes,” says Shari. “He keeps checking up on everyone to see if they’ve
found foster parents or been adopted. He wanted to do something to give
them a better holiday and this idea was perfect.”
“I
just wanted to help everyone,” said Derek.
Every
member of the Northeast family thanks Derek for giving the gift of hope
this holiday season!
****************************************************************
 Clifton
Park - Monday, November 15 and Tuesday, November 16
Stuyvesant Plaza - Wednesday, November 17 and Thursday, November 18
Help support the Holiday Hope Fund while
you feed your holiday hunger at
TGI Friday’s! Simply print out and bring the flyer to a participating
Friday’s and for every $20 you spend, they’ll donate $5 to Holiday Hope.
The
Clifton Park Friday’s is participating Monday and Tuesday, November 15
and 16, from 5 to 10 p.m.
Click
here to download the Clifton Park flyer.
The
Stuyvesant Plaza location is participating all day Wednesday and
Thursday, November 17 and 18.
Click here
to download the Stuyvesant Plaza flyer.
****************************************************************
The Open Door
Bookstore & Gift Gallery Giving Tree
Between Sunday, November 7th and
Saturday, December 15th, purchase a paperback book to be donated to our
youth! You'll receive a 20% discount and an ornament with your book
title and name will be hung on the giving tree.
www.opendoor-bookstore.com
Make a donation!
Help us
purchase
gift cards for our families
to go on shopping trips with our staff.
Learn more about how your
gift will help...
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Like to shop?
Select a gift from our
wish list,
then drop it off at one of
many locations!
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All shopped
out?
Shop from the comfort of your
own home...Choose a gift off
of our
Walmart
Gift Registry!
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