A tree that will go up in the lobby of the Guilderland Y on Nov. 23 is called the Giving Tree. 

The tree will be decorated with tags that each represent a gift requested by a local family in need. 

Members of the public may take a tag, buy the present, gift-wrap it, and then drop it off at the Y at 250 Winding Brook Drive.

This tradition currently serves about 25 families, said Lisa DiCocco, member services representative. She hopes in the future to expand this number. 

The families served are from the Guilderland area. To find them, DiCocco reached out to administrators of the Guilderland school district, the Altamont Food Pantry, St. Catherine’s Center for Children, the Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing in Guilderland Center, Omni Senior Living on Carman Road, and Our Lady of Mercy Life Center on Mercy Care Lane.