Give A gift

Connecting children with justice impacted parents with gift-givers in our community.

Holidays are often a difficult time for the households and caregivers of children who have been impacted by the justice system. With one fewer parent at home, there is less disposable income and one fewer adult looking out for these children. 

For the past 12 years, Hope Beneath the Tree has been offering support by matching children impacted by incarceration with gift-givers in our community. 

Become a Gift-Giver

Our Mission

When a parent is incarcerated, the holidays can feel especially empty. We’re here to fill that space with love, connection, and the simple joy of unwrapping a gift that says: “Someone is thinking of you.”

850+

Children Reached
“Last year, Hope Beneath the Tree brought smiles to over 350 children across Vermont and beyond.”

Our Story

Hope Beneath the Tree began in 2013 when defense investigator, Susan Randall, wanted to find a way to provide holiday gifts for children of incarcerated parents. Along with Susan’s family and friends, Dana Valentine and Paige Reynolds volunteered to help get things organized, and Hope Beneath the Tree was born! Now high school and college students throughout Vermont help run the program which has  become a highlight for our participants each holiday season.  Last year Hope Beneath the Tree provided gifts to more than 350 children in need from all over Vermont, the East Coast, and across the country.

2013: The Beginning

15 children received gifts from caring community members

2018: Growing Impact

200 children across Vermont and neighboring states

Today: National Reach

350+ children from Vermont to across the country

Click HERE to read Vermont Public’s coverage of us in 2018!

Why This Matters

Parental incarceration is an invisible crisis affecting thousands of
Vermont families

1 in 17

Vermont Children

experience a parent’s incarceration during their childhood

6,000

Kids Each Year

in Vermont are affected by parental incarceration annually

1,600

On Any Given Day

Vermont children have a parent currently in prison

“If children have a sense that the greater world cares about what happens to them — that there are people in the world that are actually paying attention — I think it does make a really big difference.”

Susan Randall – Founder

How It Works

A simple process that creates lasting impact

1

Connect

We identify children of incarcerated parents through our network and connections with Vermont correctional facilities

2

Match

Gift-givers receive a child’s name, age, and interests-creating a personal connection while maintaining privacy

3

Give

Sponsors purchase, wrap and send gifts anonymously to children across Vermont with love

Meet Our Volunteers

Dana Valentine

Volunteer

Dana Valentine is a full time realtor and mother of three. She loves volunteering for HBT because it gives her the chance to help children and caregivers impacted by the criminal justice system and educate others about the injustices of the system. Most people don’t think about the families left behind when a family member is incarcerated but they do when they offer to purchase a gift for a child. Educating donors and observing the generosity in others are is the highlight of this program for her!

 

Paige Reynolds

Volunteer

Paige grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Vermont 21 years ago. She is a full-time mom, taking on various volunteer roles involving her children while assisting Dana as a Realtor.  She has been a community panelist for CVU Grad Challenge presentations and sat on panels at Champlain College evaluating and giving feedback to young entrepreneurs and their projects.  She was asked to join Hope Beneath the Tree 6 years ago and has loved making a difference in the lives of children during the Holidays.

 

Susan Randall

Founder

Susan Randall has worked as a criminal defense investigator in Vermont for the past 20 years. Susan became interested in helping with Hope Beneath the Tree a few years ago, when she realized how hopeless many incarcerated parents felt around the holidays, as they were unable to provide gifts for their children. She encouraged her children, Raz and Lena Hansen to get involved, and their friends, and together they all started the organization. 

 

Alison Harte

Volunteer

Alison Harte has over 25 years of experience in affordable housing and supportive services for vulnerable adults and families. She moved to Burlington 11 years ago from Brooklyn, NY with her husband and three children. She has volunteered for HBT for the last two years and is excited to have even greater involvement with the project this year!

 

Kristen Vincent

Volunteer

At her first job she worked in a residential program with women and children who were impacted by the criminal justice system and who often struggled with addiction and mental health issues. During the holiday season of 2020 she began making and selling decorative wreaths, donating all proceeds to Hope Beneath the Tree. Kristen joined the HBT volunteer team in 2022.

 

Kathleen Laramee

Volunteer

Kathleen Laramee has called Vermont home for the last 26 years. As a mother of two Burlington teens she can’t imagine a better community for her family to be a part of. She spent the bulk of her professional career in communications and fundraising for the University of Vermont and has now happily moved on to her volunteer career! 

 

Ways to Help

Join our community of caring gift-givers making the holidays brighter

Become a Gift-Giver

“These children often feel forgotten. A gift shows them that the greater world cares about what happens to them- that people are paying attention.”
Sign Up to Give

Make a Donation

Your financial contribution helps us purchase gifts, cover shipping costs, and expand our reach to serve more children in need.
Donate Now

Volunteer Your Time

High school and college students help run this program. Join us in coordinating matches, wrapping gifts, and spreading hope.
Get Involved
  • Get Our Children's Book!
“Hope Beneath the Tree” by Kristen Vincent-a heartwarming story about the power of giving. Part of the proceeds benefit our mission.
Learn More About the Book

Hope in Action

What we’ve accomplished together since 2013

11+

Years of Service

350+

Children Last Year

2,000+

Gifts Delivered

100%

Volunteer-Driven

Get in Touch

Have questions? Want to learn more? We’d love to hear from you.

Email Us

Contact us to learn more about our work

hopebeneaththetree@gmail.com

Location

Serving Vermont and beyond

Website

Contact us to learn more about our work

www.hopebeneaththetree.com

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