LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — On the final day of school before winter break, just days before Christmas, the last bags were lifted, the final packages handed over, and the doors to Linden’s satellite Santa workshops quietly closed. The 2025 Holiday Giving Tree initiative was officially a wrap.
𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬.
This year, 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙤 200 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮 400 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙧, 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙟𝙤𝙮𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣—all because of a community that chose kindness.
𝐍𝐨 𝐖𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝—𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
The work began weeks ago in counselor suites and social worker offices, where toys, books, clothes, puzzles, and art supplies were carefully sorted—not wrapped—according to each child’s specific wish list. Instead of shiny bows, what tied each gift together was the compassion behind it: a genuine desire to meet children exactly where they are with the joy they deserve.
“For more than a decade, our Annual Holiday Giving Tree initiative has been a meaningful tradition that reflects the heart of our community,” said Ryan Devaney, Supervisor of Student Services. “This year’s effort was another incredible success, made possible through the generosity, dedication, and collaboration of so many.”
𝐀 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭, 𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞
At the helm of this effort were Devaney and Assistant Superintendent Annabell Louis, who have jointly steered the Giving Tree’s growth with steadfast dedication.
“This truly has been a work of heart for over a decade,” Devaney shared. “Our Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Annabell Louis, and I have proudly taken the lead on this initiative, growing it each year through collaboration with our community partners and the generosity of staff, with the support and tireless work of our social workers and school counselors.
Together, their compassion and behind-the-scenes efforts ensure that students and families feel supported, valued, and uplifted each holiday season. The Annual Holiday Giving Tree has been a shining example of the heart, generosity, and commitment that define our district.
An initiative like this takes passion, dedication, and most importantly, kindness. We are proud to be part of a dedicated team who believes in the value of helping our neighbors.”
“Each contribution made a difference and reminded families that they are seen, supported, and valued,” he said. “An initiative like this takes passion, dedication, and most importantly—kindness.”
𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐰𝐬: 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐒𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚’𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬
While the gifts were donated unwrapped, each was lovingly sorted based on student wish lists, providing families with a sense of pride by allowing them to wrap items themselves. The colors of the season—bright reds, glittery pinks, vivid greens, deep blues—filled counselor suites and social worker offices that had been transformed into joyful sorting stations.
Throughout the week, staff members meticulously organized everything from winter socks and soccer balls to dolls and puzzles. On Friday, December 19, Board Vice President Malaysia Thomas and Board Member Rempee Kalia joined Devaney and Director of Human Resources Kayla Lott for a festive tour of the schools, pitching in with staff as they prepared packages for pick-up and delivery. Their visit was more than ceremonial—it was hands-on and heart-forward, reflecting the true spirit of the initiative.
𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
In his final reflections, Devaney expressed gratitude to everyone who donated, sorted, and served: “Because of this generosity, hundreds of thoughtful gifts and holiday surprises were collected and distributed, helping to meet needs and bring joy to students and families during the holiday season. From toys to other gifts chosen with love, each contribution made a difference and reminded families that they are seen, supported, and valued. Your continued support is what allows this program to thrive year after year.”
As Linden’s Giving Trees are carefully packed away until next December, their legacy remains: a district community united by kindness, fueled by compassion, and defined by the power of giving.
