Jessica Gould, a volunteer at Hope House on College Street in Lewiston, right, hands a present to Danielle Daneau, of Lewiston during Wednesday morning’s 31st annual “Hope for the Holidays” toy store. Local residents and neighbors were allowed to choose a number of gifts, food and clothing to share with family and friends during the holidays. According to program directors Jan and Bruce Wilson, “The neighbors now run the program and we just sit back and help them instead of the other way around. It is quite a melting pot as there are at least five different languages spoken here and we have been blessed with seeing how all these cultures have come together and bond, socialize and work together to help not only themselves but give of themselves.” To learn more about the organization or to donate, visit www.hopehousemaine.com. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)

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