Making Spirits Bright

ROCHESTER -- Jill Finnerty-Taylor could be Santa and her basement could be his workshop.

Of course, Ms. Finnerty-Taylor's only similarity to the jolly old elf might be the red shirt she wore the other day. And her house
is on a winding road in Rochester, not the North Pole.

But her chilly basement is stuffed with more than 800 gifts. She and her friend Amy Albino are just like Santa for 66 children
this Christmas. "Be careful, it's a bomb zone down here," Ms. Finnerty-Taylor advised as a couple of the neatly wrapped gifts
fell to the floor. "It's just that we have outgrown ourselves."

The gifts come in all shapes and sizes, and include clothing, bicyles and Nintendo Game Cubes. There are gifts for children
ranging from 3 months old to teenagers.

Ms. Finnerty-Taylor and Ms. Albino haven't always been awash in Christmas gifts.

What started seven years ago as an effort to help a friend who had just lost her job gets gifts for children has turned into a
grand undertaking for the two friends. "We need help, hands," the quick-talking Ms. Finnerty-Taylor said about the Making
Spirits Bright campaign.

Last Friday, the two women were struggling to find transportation to deliver the gifts last Sunday night, despite help from
about 20 volunteers and details from Bristol County Sheriff Thomas M. Hodgson's office.

Nevertheless, their effort to bring a Christmas to the least fortunate continues to grow.

"People look forward to doing it every year," Ms. Albino said about those who help.

The effort works like this:

Around September, Ms. Finnerty-Taylor gets referrals from churches, Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care &
Infusion Services in Fairhaven and other groups for people who need help.

Included are disabled or sick children, and those who have lost a parent.

"I meet all the families. I use all my spare time," said Ms. Finnerty-Taylor, a former New Bedford resident. The children write to
Santa, asking for what they want.

"I want a teddy bear that hugs back," one little girl wrote.

The volunteers hang decorated name tags for each child and a description of the desired gift at area businesses, including a
host of hair and nail salons.

Customers pick a tag, wrap the gift and bring it back. The gifts are stored in Ms. Finnerty-Taylor's basement.

The women receive toy donations from department stores, and money from individuals and groups. The received $3,000 this
year from an anonymous person; it was used to buy some of the more expensive gifts.

To join the effort, call Ms. Finnerty-Taylor at (508)965-8890.

"We're going to take care of Christmas," Ms. Albino said.

"I was a single mom for years," Ms. Finnerty-Taylor said, explaining why she helps others now. "Reaching the holidays is
stressful period.

To keep doing their good works, the two women need more help. They are trying to register their charity as a nonprofit
organization so they can get additional corporate help.

They also are looking for space where they can store gifts during December, and trucks to deliver them all over SouthCoast.

"The more people that we get, the more children we can help," Ms. Finnerty- Taylor said.

This story appeared on Page A4 of The Standard-Times on December 22, 2004