RUMFORD — As Santa was preparing for his recent visit to the Festival of Trees he realized how nice it would be if at the festival a tree was decorated with gifts from the community and the tree and all would be donated to a needy family. He thought, we will call it the “The Community Giving Tree.” Then it dawned on him that the Rumford Group Home had several homeless families there and who better in need of uplifting.

In just one and a half days some 46 businesses, individuals and members of the local River Valley Rotary Club donated gift coupons, toys, clothes, money and decorations. A beautiful tree was donated by Walmart.

The tree was displayed among the other 14 beautifully decorated trees at the Festival of Trees on Dec. 8. Afterwards, the tree and all donations were delivered to the Rumford Group Home along with a check from the local River Valley Rotarians for them to use as needed.