A Holiday Visit

Fifth form students from The Hill School visited residents in Manatawny Manor recently to bring some holiday cheer, and a few presents.

They were joined by their form advisers Rebecca Smith, Hill’s director of counseling, and Ned Ide, chair of the English department.

Many fifth formers baked cookies and helped to prepare for a visit by another 20 classmates to the Manor on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 for Hill’s annual participation in the “Wrapping Presence” program (http://wrappingpresence.com.)

Founded in 1995 by Marne Kies Dietterich – who has many Hill connections through our Kies family – Wrapping Presence visits nursing homes and similar settings with a variety of small, new gifts, all donated by vendors or purchased through funds raised by the participating organizations. 

The volunteers – and, in this case, Hill students – then set up themed “shops,” play holiday music, serve refreshments, and help the homebound residents to “shop” for gifts for their families and friends (at no expense to the residents). 

Students then wrap the gifts and spend time getting to know their “shoppers.” Hill has participated in this program for the past six years.

Our thanks to Hill School Communications Director Cathy Skitko for providing this information and photos, as well as the short video below.