Southampton - If Ebenezer Scrooge ever came to the town of Southampton over the Christmas holidays, the legendary Dickens' character would find nowhere he could yell out a "Bah-Humbug!," warded off by the thousands of gifts dispersed this year by Human Resources of the Hamptons (HRH). The charitable organization is supported by the generosity of the town's residents.

HRH Executive Director Mary Ann Tupper (left) discusses strategy with President Nannette Meyers.

"Our community has been more generous than ever," HRH President Nannette Meyers commented just hours before HRH's annual "Gift Giving" event at the organization's headquarters on Hill Street. Of the 3,000 gifts to be handed out to needy families, "every item was donated," she added.

Every year HRH fills the auditorium of The Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Church with presents, holiday food and stocking stuffers to hand out to approximately 300 families registered with the organization. Thanks to the merry work of 130 volunteers, every present was wrapped, sized and situated in an age-appropriate section to make the "shopping" easier for families passing through. In addition, boxes of food were packed and gift baskets were set aside for the adults this year so parents would receive a little something as well.

HRH also offered holiday foodstuffs, turkeys and the trimmings for holiday dinners.

Plans for Gift Giving Day started almost a year ago as Meyers began to organize her thoughts last January, working throughout the year to see that ample gift wrap and ribbons were in place and volunteers were available to lend a hand. Meyers also hosted a wrapping party with 35 volunteers on deck to do the honors. However, with so many donations, wrappers were still working at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Dec. 16.

Despite the economic forecasts donations were bountiful and as Meyers offered, giving what you can is a way to lift your own spirits as well as someone else's. "Unfortunately, there is always someone worse off than you," she noted. "It's upbeat," asserted Meyers, when "everything you hear is bad news."

In order to participate in Gift Giving Day and other HRH programs, residents can register their families by calling or visiting the organization.

A raft of volunteers mount their holiday good cheer each year to aid families less fortunate.