Sunshine Fund Christmas Gift Program

Every holiday season, the Peterborough Sunshine Fund brings our community together to make Christmas brighter for local children and families throughout the Monadnock Region.

Through our Giving Trees, generous donors choose gift tags, purchase new gifts, and help create a special holiday experience where parents and guardians facing unexpected challenges can select presents for their children with dignity, choice, and love.

🎁 NO TAG? NO PROBLEM! YOU CAN STILL GIVE!

You do NOT need to pick up a tag to participate!

Anyone can purchase one or more new gifts and drop them off at any of our Giving Tree locations. You are welcome to give a gift even if you haven't taken a tag from the tree!

In fact, we encourage it!

Here's why: Parents and guardians come to our holiday gift program and choose gifts for their own children from the wonderful selection our community has donated. Gifts are not assigned to individual children by tags.

The more variety we have, the better! Every child has different interests, and having a wide selection allows parents to find gifts that are just right for their families.

So, whether you pick up a tag, shop for a gift on your own, or donate several gifts, every contribution helps make Christmas special for a local child.

Where Can I Drop Off Gifts?

You can leave your NEW, UNWRAPPED gifts under any of our Giving Trees at these participating locations:

Bar Harbor Bank & Trust
Brady’s American Bar and Grill
Cooper’s Hill Public House
Dollar General
European Esthetics
Peterborough Fire & Rescue
Performance Health & Fitness
Toadstool Bookshop

Gift drop-off deadline: Saturday, December 12, 2026.

🎄 Gift Ideas for Every Child

Not sure what to buy? We've put together some ideas to help you get started!

Every child is different, and the best gifts are often the ones that inspire imagination, creativity, play, and a little holiday magic.

Arts & Crafts

Art supply sets, crayons, markers, and colored pencils
Drawing, painting, and watercolor kits
Jewelry-making and bracelet kits
Craft projects, DIY kits, and creative activity sets
Coloring books and craft supplies

Family Games & Puzzles

Board games for family game nights
Card games and interactive games
Jigsaw puzzles for different ages
Brain teasers and logic games
Fun group games for the whole family

LEGO Sets & Science Kits

LEGO building sets and creative building kits
STEM and hands-on science experiments
Robotics and beginner engineering kits
Nature, discovery, and science kits

Outdoor Toys & Sports

Soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, and other sports balls
Outdoor play equipment and activity sets
Jump ropes, frisbees, and outdoor games
Sports accessories and beginner equipment

Books & Activities

Storybooks and chapter books for different reading levels
Activity books, word searches, and puzzle books
Journals, sketchbooks, and writing sets
Educational games and learning activities
Books about favorite hobbies, animals, and adventures

Blankets & Stuffed Animals

Soft, cozy blankets and throws
Plush animals and stuffed toys
Character-themed pillows and cozy accessories

These are just suggestions! Any new gift appropriate for children aged 0-18 is welcome.

❤️ Don't Forget the Teens!

While younger children often receive plenty of attention during the holiday season, teenagers can be unintentionally overlooked. Their interests and needs are different, and finding the right gifts for them can be more challenging.

That's why the Sunshine Fund also accepts online donations to purchase gift cards for local teens.

Gift cards give teenagers the freedom to choose something they truly want or need, whether it's clothing, art supplies, personal care items, books, or something special just for them.

Gift cards are also welcome under any of our Giving Trees and we love seeing gift cards for local businesses!

If you feel more comfortable mailing a check or gift card, you can mail them to Sunshine Fund c/o SNHS Community Action Program, 25 Elm Street, Peterborough, NH 03458.

Every Gift Makes a Difference

Whether you purchase one gift, several gifts, pick up a tag, or make an online contribution, you're helping make the holidays brighter for a local child.

Thank you for helping us ensure that every child feels remembered, included, and loved this Christmas!

About the Peterborough Sunshine Fund:

The Peterborough Sunshine Fund’s mission is to provide humanitarian support to individuals and families in need who reside in the town of Peterborough, New Hampshire or surrounding communities within the Monadnock Region. Nearly 20 years ago, Jim Grant created The Sunshine Fund as a way to provide financial support for basic human needs of food and shelter, as well as support for medical and behavioral health, education, and the ability to find or maintain employment.

The Sunshine Fund is operated by volunteers and relies solely on donations from the community to provide support. Government and agency funds are restricted and there are long wait times while applications are being processed. In some cases, the Sunshine Fund can offer assistance to fill the gap while a family or individual waits for other resources. In other cases, the need is so immediate and temporary that the Sunshine Fund can step in and prevent an individual from having to request government assistance at all.

Any town can be a place to live, but the generosity of our donors is what creates a community where neighbors help neighbors and provide a little sunshine when it is needed most.

Christmas Giving Trees

Peterborough Sunshine Fund 2026