HOLIDAY
SPIRIT OF GIVING Chapel Hill Service League’s Christmas House provides gifts for local families
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hristmas House has been a Chapel Hill tradition since 1950. Run by the more than 50 active members and over 100 life and sustainer members of the Chapel Hill Service League, the program is back to serving families in person this year after the pandemic prompted a drivethrough version. “We have been serving our community’s children and families by hosting a one-day event where parents and guardians can come and select gifts, coats and books for their children. The families are selected by the school social workers in each of the schools in Orange County,” says Tracey Himmel, a longtime member who served as president of the CHSL in 2011-12. “The families are welcomed by volunteers who speak a variety of languages and guide them through a personalized shopping experience.” Every year, members and the community donate more than 2,500 books, 900 coats and thousands of toys each year, assisting more than 890 families each season. Tracey says it takes thousands of volunteer hours and is generally a year-round project. Want to help the cause? Donate books at Flyleaf Books and the Barnes & Noble in New Hope Commons at any time through the holidays. Visit the CHSL website to learn more. CHM 40
chapelhillmagazine.com
December 2022
ABOVE Chapel Hill Service League members Kimberly Zirkle (co-chair of Christmas House), Natasha Smith, Cindy Shea and Lynda Baker at last year's event.