This program started in 1998 as a Caring Connections project that BOC Gases called “Helping Hands”.  The program has continued to grow over the years as more and more companies, organizations, schools and individuals become involved. 

For this project, now known as “Holiday Hands,” a request is sent out to agencies to provide the United Way of Hunterdon County with a list of clients and a suggested/requested gift that the client would like for the holiday season.  Once the United Way starts receiving the requests, the staff begins sending the names out to the companies (as well as organizations, schools, individual donors, etc.).  Each company can then personalize how the program will be run in their office. 
As an example in the first year of the program, BOC Gases wrote the names of the clients with the requested gift on a tag hung on a tree.  The tags were then chosen by employees who purchased and wrapped the gift.  Confidentiality was protected by only identifying the receiving agency by color of the tag, which was assigned and kept confidential by the United Way of Hunterdon County.  A date was then arranged for agency pick-up of the gifts from BOC Gases. 

The program has evolved, but continues every year in the same basic format.  The United Way of Hunterdon County staff matches local companies with agency clients.  Then, the companies distribute the client names for the employees to purchase, wrap, and bring their gift back to their office.  Finally, a date is set for the agency to go to the company and pick up all of the wrapped gifts which are brought back to their agency and distributed to their clients in time for the holidays!  To get involved,