Charity Event in Charlestown Distributes Gifts to 80 Families

The following was submitted by the Boston Housing Authority. It was lightly edited.

The Greg Hill Foundation recently provided hand selected Christmas gifts for the children of 80 low-income Boston Housing Authority and Smart from the Start families. Gifts were distributed at an event at Knights of Columbus in Charlestown.

“This is a wonderful way to help those families who need it most,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The Greg Hill Foundation is making the holidays special for everyone.”  

Each parent hand selected gifts for their children by “shopping” for gifts. Participants were given ten tickets per child and could choose those gifts that would be most appropriate for their children.

“We appreciate the Greg Hill Foundation for helping to make the dreams of BHA children come true,” said William McGonagle, BHA Administrator.  “Many of these children may not have received any gifts without this help.”

This event is part of the BHA’s effort to provide holiday gifts to the city’s lowest-income residents. The Authority will also be giving presents to children ages three to 10 whose families make less than $20,000 annually. Some gifts are donated by Toys for Tots and others are bought with donations from BHA employees.

The Greg Hill Foundation, established by Greg Hill: the host of the Hillman Morning Show on WAAF, is a philanthropic organization that supports local communities and families touched by tragedy. Hill began hosting the Hillman Morning Show on WAAF in 1990 and founded the Greg Hill Foundation earlier this year.

Smart from the Start is a family support initiative of the City of Boston that promotes school readiness through early learning opportunities for children ages 0 to five. Many Smart from the Start participants live in and around BHA developments in Roslindale, Charlestown and Mattapan.