What began as a small group of women looking out for each other and their families has grown and evolved into The Giving Tree of Hummelstown and Hershey, a nonprofit organization that benefits the local community, including adults, children and families in need, as well as those in transition or going through a personal crisis.

In January, The Giving Tree of Hummelstown and Hershey celebrated its 13th anniversary. Since its formation, the charity has provided more than $180,000 in household goods, food, clothing and medical and educational support to those in need in Derry Township and Lower Dauphin school districts.

Kim Balog, president of the advisory board of The Giving Tree, explained how the initiative started. "There was a group of women (whose) kids all went to the same elementary school," she said. "One of the women was having a hard time, and her friends rallied around her. They cooked meals and watched her kids. That was the blossoming of it."

Balog noted that the mom who received assistance then wanted to return the favor. "She wanted to give back and got people together and started cooking meals and freezing them (for families that might need them), and then it grew," she explained. "More people were interested in helping out, and we started to address other small needs in our community."

The Giving Tree, which functions under the Foundation for Enhancing Communities program, holds "Roll Up Your Sleeves" (ROYS) events each year. These include organizing a winter coat drive for students in the Lower Dauphin School District and collecting fruit baskets in December, which are donated to the Hershey, Hummelstown and Grantville food pantries.

Dental kits containing a toothbrush and toothpaste are provided each February in conjunction with National Dental Health Month to both Lower Dauphin and Derry Township school districts.

Healthy Choice Snack Packs are provided through Lower Dauphin Falcon Packs over the summer months, when many students do not receive lunch or breakfast because they are not in school. "We collect shelf-stable food items, package them and hand them out at the schools," said Balog. "We give them a bag of (snacks) - pudding, yogurt, fruit cups, milk, juices and veggie chips."

The Giving Tree provides personal hygiene kits that are distributed to various Lower Dauphin organizations, including schools, Lower Dauphin Communities That Care, Falcon Packs and the Hummelstown Food Pantry.

The Giving Tree also provides assistance for students who need dental care or eyeglasses. "It's all geared toward the school students and their needs," said Balog. "The biggest smiles are on the faces of the kids who are recipients of our efforts. That is why we do what we do."

In addition to Balog, who has been a volunteer for 10 years and an advisory board member for six, the 2022 advisory board consists of Rosa Stroh, vice president; Becky Hilgers, treasurer; Carol Gallerizzo, secretary; Kathy Peffer; and Louise Albrecht.

For more information about The Giving Tree or to donate, visit http://www.givingtreeofhummelstown.org or http://www.facebook.com/HummelstownHersheyGivingTree.