Again this year, The Village Bank and the City of Newton Department of Health and Human Services are combining efforts in order to brighten the upcoming holiday season for local children who may otherwise be overlooked. The ninth annual Holiday Gift Drive is now underway and will run through December 12.

The Bank and the City are encouraging local residents, businesses and community partners to once again play an active role in the Holiday Gift Drive through donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children ages newborn to 10. Suggested gifts include age-appropriate DVDs, games, sporting goods, and toys. A donation of gift certificates purchased from local merchants will also benefit businesses in the community.

The Village Bank’s Newton branches in Auburndale, Newtonville, Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Waban and West Newton are serving as Holiday Gift Drive collection sites.

Joseph De Vito, president and CEO of The Village Bank, said that last year’s Holiday Gift Drive provided gifts for the young children of more than 200 income-eligible families.

“We’re proud of our longtime partnership with the City to help to make a difference in the lives of these families,” said De Vito. “It has also been rewarding to see so many of our customers, friends, and neighbors stepping up to share the spirit of the holiday season with others.”

The Bank will work with Deborah Youngblood, Newton’s commissioner of health and human services, and Pamela Weissman, director of social services, in distributing the gifts to local families in time for the holidays.