Paddy’s Collecting Holiday Donations for Local Non-Profit

After more than eight years in business, finally has a Christmas tree — but it isn’t just for looks.

The Tree of Hope, donated to the local coffee shop by , serves as a drop off location for holiday donations.

“With the state of economic affairs being what it is, we felt it appropriate to have a Tree of Hope at Paddy's,” business owner Paddy Iyer said. “We are using this tree to give hope to our less fortunate brethren.”

The coffee shop is accepting donations of food, clothes, toys and cash. All items left at the base of the tree will be donated to , a Decoto-based non-profit organization that provides a variety of services to low-income Union City residents, including a food pantry and thrift shop.

Those with larger items, such as furniture, may leave a note on the tree with contact information and a representative from Centro will follow up to pick up the items. Donations are tax deductible.

Though it’s the first year that Paddy’s Coffee House has put up a Christmas tree, the business has collected donation items for Centro every holiday season since it opened in 2003, Iyer said.

“Our back room would be stuffed with clothes,” Iyer said of previous holiday donation drives. “Even if I’m not doing a drive, people identify the shop as a drop-off for Centro de Servicios, which is good because Centro needs all they help they can get."

To assist with the donation drive, photographer and coffee shop patron Lulu Del Rosario will donate her services for the Tree of Hope.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 to 4 p.m., Rosario will be taking family holiday portraits at Paddy’s Coffee House in exchange for a brand new, unwrapped toy or a $30 donation to Centro de Servicios.

To see Rosario’s work, visit her website at www.fototeqnika.com.

Though not affiliated with the Tree of Hope, the Union City Chamber of Commerce is also supporting Centro de Servicios and will be collecting toys and non-perishable food items at their on Friday night from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Correction: We incorrectly noted the date of the holiday portraits as Sunday. Photographer Lulu Del Rosario will be taking holiday photos on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 2 to 4 p.m.