… helping holiday wishes come true

Children deserve happiness at the holidays. For this reason, we make sure that children and teens in the care of the MA Department of Children and Families (DCF) have their holiday wish lists come true.

Each November, UUCR receives some 80 lists from DCF social workers. As individuals and families, we choose from and take lists off a Christmas tree–we Undecorate the Tree. Then we do our best to make holiday wishes…a particular toy…a gift card to a specific store…clothes in particular colors…come true.

Children and adults alike say Undecorate the Tree is a favorite holiday tradition they look forward to every year–and involvement has increased nearly every year since we started, in 1990.

People participate at all levels, from donating money to providing a single item to purchasing every item on a child’s list. Some people choose to sponsor a family. Contributors buy and wrap presents. So many presents, in fact, that a local company offers to truck everything to the DCF office for us.

Wishlists are made available to the congregation the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and gifts are due back to the church in early December.

“Undecorate the Tree” continues with safety and social distancing protocols in place.

We’d love for you to join us at any level of involvement. Please contact our Member Services & Volunteer Coordinator for more information.