As the holiday season approaches, one community initiative is making sure children and families in need feel the warmth and support of their neighbors. The SUNY New Paltz Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), through its National Honor Society, Chi Alpha Epsilon (XAE), is gearing up for its 2024 Gift Giving Program — an annual tradition that has grown into a beloved community event over the years.
At the heart of this initiative is the Agri-Business Child Development (ABCD) Center, which serves farm workers and other eligible families across New York State. The center offers high-quality early childhood education and social services to children from four months old to school age, many of whom come from underserved communities. Since 2013, the EOP and XAE have been involved in community service at the ABCD Center, but the Gift Giving Program has become a special highlight each year.
Ivelisse Tuttle, associate director of EOP, has been behind the vision for this program since its inception. “At first, we started by giving donations to the families of the children at the center, from household items to essentials to help keep them warm during the winter,” she said. “My vision was always to be able to ‘adopt’ each child and shop for them for clothes or toys.” The first year, it was only clothes, but as the program grew, toys were added to the mix.
This year, the goal is to provide for all 40 children currently at the ABCD Center, making sure every child gets an equitable amount of both clothes and toys. Tuttle emphasized the importance of making sure no child feels left out. “We don’t set a specific dollar amount for those who adopt a child, but support and donations from the community help us ensure each child gets a similar number of gifts,” she said. This community-driven approach is what makes the program so special. “It’s not just about gifts but bringing people together to make sure these kids have a joyful holiday,” Tuttle said.
The alignment of values between the EOP Gift Giving Program and the ABCD Center is what makes this partnership meaningful. “Our values are similar, because both programs aim to provide access and opportunity to children from underserved communities, focusing on breaking down barriers to educational success,” Tuttle said. Both organizations are committed to empowering children and families to achieve their full potential — whether through education, resources or simple acts of kindness.
The Gift Giving Program, which has been running since 2019, has touched the hearts of many in the New Paltz community. For Tuttle, it’s not just about the physical donations — it’s about creating a culture of giving. “What I hope people take away from this program is the importance of giving back to those less fortunate,” she said. “No matter how big or small, together we can make a difference in the lives of not only these children, but the families that I know are incredibly grateful.”
With the 2024 holiday season nearly underfoot, the spirit of giving remains strong in the New Paltz community. Through the efforts of the EOP, XAE and generous donors, the Gift Giving Program ensures that even in tough times, the children at the ABCD Center will feel supported and cared for.