The annual Grand Harbor Community Outreach Evening of Giving got its start as just a tree trimming party 18 years ago, but has since grown into a full-fledged, season-of-giving kickoff, with members coming together to raise funds and purchase holiday gifts for community organizations, children, seniors and veterans.

The Grand Harbor Golf Club renovations that had guests cozying up in half the space, only increased the level of gaiety and spirit among the guests, and the staff outdid themselves, presenting a bountiful buffet of scrumptious delights.

Members selected paper ornaments representing gift wishes from two enormous Christmas trees and were expected to return the gifts to Outreach volunteers to be wrapped and delivered before Christmas.

“It kicks off the holiday season and reminds us that there are people who are less fortunate than we are; we show our gratitude by giving families a helping hand. It’s a Grand Harbor tradition,” said Susan Dailey.

“This event raises between $29,000 and $36,000,” said co-chair Tina Wilcox. “I have a whole bunch of thank-you notes. One senior wrote last year thanking us and said she didn’t think anybody remembered her anymore. Here is someone who is really alone, but because they have a Christmas gift from someone, they feel they are not alone. That is what keeps me volunteering again every year.”

In addition to Evening of Giving, roughly $300,000 is raised each year from events such as golf, bridge and game tournaments, and a gala, providing funding for grants which are awarded to deserving agencies.

“One-hundred percent of the organization is made up of volunteers. Every dime of the money raised goes to charity through our programs,” said Doug Sweeny, GHCO president. “We decided to form a strategic partnership with Gifford and now meet with community leaders about once a week as we support groups like Gifford Youth Achievement Center, Samaritan Center and Our Father’s Table. We were responsive but now we are being more directive; to get them to be more impactful. We’re not just showing up and dropping money and moving on.”

“The members at Grand Harbor are paying it forward in the best way it can be,” added event co-chair Catherine Reichert.