More than 200 Newton families were able to celebrate the holidays this year, thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses participating in the fourth annual Holiday Gift Drive co-sponsored by the city of Newton’s Department of Health and Human Services and The Village Bank.

Susan Paley, community relations officer for The Village Bank, and Ana Gonzalez, Newton’s community social worker, coordinated the month-long collection of donated gifts for children ages newborn to 10. The Village Bank’s Newton branches in Auburndale, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Waban and West Newton served as the primary Holiday Gift Drive collection sites.

The Angier, Williams, Bowen, Franklin and Horace Mann elementary schools collected gifts at their locations, and the Teddy Bear Club pre-school and kindergarten also made a significant donation of toys and gifts.

Newton Youth Hockey held two weekend holiday gift collections at the Fessenden rink, and the Newton North High School boys’ hockey team also held a toy drive.

The residents of Evans Park at Newton Corner made a donation of new winter jackets for the Holiday Gift Drive, and the Woodland Golf Club collected donations at its annual holiday party. Again this year, Devaney Oil of Newton made a $1,000 cash donation, which was used to purchase merchandise gift cards from local stores.

"From employees to customers to the community at large, everyone has been so kind and generous," Paley said. "Each year, I worry that response will be too low, and we won’t be able to meet the needs of our neighbors. And, each year, the results overwhelm and humble me!"