As the holiday season begins, communities across the country come alive with festive decorations, joyful gatherings, and an overarching spirit of generosity. In Lakewood, Ohio, the Cove Community Center has been at the forefront of this charitable spirit with its innovative and whimsical Grinch-themed giving tree, now in its third year. This unique initiative encourages community members to contribute items and gift cards requested by local families in need, fostering a sense of togetherness and compassion.
The giving tree at Cove Community Center differs from the typical “angel” or “ornament” style trees, which assign a specific child or family to a donor. Instead, the tree is decorated with tags, each representing specific items or gift cards requested by families facing hardships. This structure allows donors to select items directly from the tree, making their giving experience more flexible and personalized.
The head of senior services said, “We work with these individuals throughout the year and we know their needs and their background and we just get to know them from them coming in and what services that they receive from us.”
The playful Grinch motif adds a touch of humor and fun to the holiday season, reminding everyone that even the most unlikely characters can inspire kindness and generosity. The theme resonates with families and children, encouraging participation and community spirit.
The three-year-old tradition has become a cherished part of Lakewood’s holiday traditions. Its importance extends beyond collecting gifts; it embodies the true spirit of giving and the value of supporting neighbors during a challenging time for many.
While the holidays are often associated with commercialism, initiatives like this serve as vital reminders that the season is about compassion, empathy and community. By providing a tangible way to help families in need, the giving tree helps bridge gaps and foster a sense of unity.
The tree helps alleviate the stress of the holidays by ensuring children and families receive thoughtful gifts and essentials. Nancy Feighan, an employee at Cove Community Center, said, “It is necessary to show people who are alone, young, old, struggling that our community cares about them and we want them to thrive and we are doing so many things here at Cove Community Center, Department of Human Services, that we hope that others realize what an impact we’re making on others too.”
The process is simple and accessible. Community members can visit the Cove Community Center and select tags from the Grinch-themed tree. Each tag specifies a requested item or a gift card amount, ranging from clothing and toys to grocery store gift cards. Donors then purchase the items or gift cards and return them to the community center, where they are sorted and distributed to local families.
This model offers flexibility, allowing donors to contribute according to their means and preferences. It also encourages thoughtful giving — donors can choose to fulfill entire requests or combine smaller contributions to meet larger needs.
The success of the project hinges on broad community involvement from local businesses, schools, churches and residents. The collaborative effort ensures that a broad spectrum of needs is met and that no family feels forgotten during the holiday season. The Grinch theme sparks conversations about kindness and the importance of giving back. It emphasizes that small acts of generosity can make a significant difference in someone’s life.
The giving tree’s reach goes beyond city limits. Emmie Hutchinson said, “We have had people come from other cities, Rocky River, Westlake, someone from North Olmsted, I think someone from Euclid, so, you know, our reach is far, goes beyond Lakewood.”
Those interested in participating can visit the Cove Community Center. The deadline to turn in donations is Dec. 16. Donations of new, unwrapped gifts or gift cards are welcome, and volunteers are often needed to help sort and distribute the items.
Even those unable to donate physically can contribute by spreading the word about the giving tree. Encouraging others to participate can have a ripple effect, inspiring more acts of kindness. The head of senior services said, “I always encourage people to come and check it out, because you don’t know, you don’t know what we do and it’s not everybody’s cup of tea. Some people like to exercise. Some people like to come just for the programs, or we have presentations, or we have coffee in the morning, or we only have lunch … they go on trips.”
The Grinch-themed giving tree at Cove Community Center exemplifies the true essence of the holiday season: giving, compassion and community. By choosing to participate—whether through donating gifts, volunteering, or simply sharing the message—community members help ensure that the spirit of Christmas touches everyone, especially those who need it most.
