FARMINGTON — As Christmas gets closer, the University of Maine at Farmington’s University Store is once again hosting its annual Holiday Giving Tree. In its 10th consecutive year, the UMF Giving Tree is an opportunity for members of the campus and community to donate items to children and families in need to help ensure everyone has a joyful holiday.

New, unwrapped clothes, shoes, winter wear, toys, books, personal items, etc., from infant to adult, are gratefully accepted. They can be donated at UMF’s University Store, located at 238 Main St., until Friday, Dec. 18. 

This holiday giving tradition is in partnership with the Franklin County Children’s Task Force, a local nonprofit devoted to strengthening Franklin County families and advocating for and providing services that promote healthy children and families. Store staff works closely with members of the FCCTF to fill the holiday tree with tags that have the Christmas wishes of children and families throughout the area. Members of the campus and local community are invited to take a tag to fulfill special requests.

Student and community organizations, campus faculty, staff and entire UMF departments generously contribute to the annual charitable event. This year, staff from UMF’s Merrill Center have adopted an entire family’s requests and members of the Country Square Quilting Club from the Jay and Wilton area have contributed 27 handmade quilts.

Unwrapped gifts are picked up at the University Store by task force staff and will be distributed by members of the Maine Family Home Visitors prior to the holiday.