This holiday season, Bedminster-based Peapack-Gladstone Bank presented its 3rd annual Boonton Charity Christmas Tree Sale. Held Nov. 24 through Dec. 9, 100% of this year’s sales and donations — totaling more than $35,000 — benefited Sound Start Foundation.
Regardless of a family’s ability to pay, and for over a quarter of a century, Sound Start, a 501(c)(3), has provided early intervention services to babies with hearing loss — changing lives forever.
This festive event, organized entirely by Peapack-Gladstone Bank, was a great way to bring people together to celebrate the season, while making the holidays merry and bright for local individuals and families. Each year, a new community beneficiary is named, and, over the last three years, the bank has raised nearly $100,000 through this effort.
The bank’s Boonton location at 104 Ely Place was the backdrop to showcase a wide variety of live trees.
Bank employees, including CEO and President Doug Kennedy and Chief Operating Officer Robert Plante, both area residents, participated in eight days of sales. Additionally donating their time and energy were Sound Start Foundation’s CEO, Bromme Cole, and chairman of the board, Alex Mitchell, along with other board members, who joined together with the bank to sell approximately 300 trees.
“To those who purchased trees and to those who made additional donations, we cannot offer enough gratitude. Most importantly, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to Peapack-Gladstone Bank, a model for leadership and building strong community relationships,” Cole said. “The proceeds from this Christmas tree sale will help fund critically needed services and equipment for our Sound Start Babies program, which provides early intervention to babies and toddlers born with hearing loss. We thank you all.”
The Peapack-Gladstone Bank tree sale is reminiscent of past sales sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club, bringing back an annual tradition to the community.
“This event holds special meaning for Peapack-Gladstone Bank, as we see the joy it brings to the large number of families that come out to enjoy the festive ambiance, support the community and select the perfect tree,” Kennedy said. “It’s a place where families can return year after year to make lasting memories and feel good about their contribution.”
A special thank you was made to Prisco Construction Services, which contributed its skills and materials for event setup, and the Golden Gup, which entertained tree shoppers with musical Christmas classics.
