In Poughkeepsie, New York, three State Department of Transportation (DOT) workers made a heartwarming discovery early Thursday morning (December 11). While on routine patrol on Route 9 near Marist University, Luman Doxey, Tim Houck, and Phil Smith found a garbage bag on the roadside. Instead of trash, the bag contained wrapped Christmas presents labeled "Family No. 25."

Realizing the significance of their find, the DOT workers quickly took the gifts to their depot and informed Supervisor Kristopher Andersen. Public Information Officer Heather Pillsworth then contacted 12 local charities to locate the rightful owner of the presents. The Grace Smith House in Poughkeepsie suggested contacting Marist University's Department of Spiritual Life and Service (SLS), which confirmed the gifts belonged to them.

The presents had fallen off a truck during a delivery on Wednesday. They were intended for a less fortunate family through Marist's Giving Tree initiative. This program, which has been running for over 30 years, involves Marist students, faculty, and staff donating gifts to local families in need. This year alone, the Marist community gathered approximately 1,000 gifts.

Julianne Fuda, State DOT Hudson Valley Regional Director, praised the workers' efforts, stating, "This is just one more example of our DOT team going the extra mile to make a little holiday miracle happen." Rachel Bischof, Administrative Coordinator of Marist’s SLS, expressed gratitude, saying, "There are several lucky children whose holidays will be a bit brighter this year because of their dedication."

EJ