The volunteers of the Rhode Island Chapter of Hadassah occupied the charity booth in front of JCPenney at the Warwick Mall from Thursday, Dec. 15 to Saturday, Dec. 24.

For the past 40 years, they have worked diligently, boxing and wrapping presents for Rhode Islanders.

“We are so grateful to Mr. (Aram) Garabedian, the owner of the Mall, for all of his help, support and generosity over the years. We would not be able to take on this undertaking without knowing we had his backing,” said Judy Silverman, chairperson of the gift-wrapping project.

Originally started by the Pawtucket chapter, the group started wrapping in front of the original Filenes’s before the food court moved. Several months before gift-wrapping started, the Pawtucket women would gather in members’ homes and make dozens of handmade ribbons and bows.

The husbands were not excused from helping, as they helped to carry in supplies and materials, and eventually some of them learned how to wrap.

Now that Rhode Island Hadassah is a chapter unto itself, there is no more Pawtucket chapter. That did not stop the determined, hardworking women of this group. The ladies volunteer their time and gift wrapping expertise every year to raise money for medical research at Hadassah hospital in Israel.

Over the course of this program, they have raised nearly half a million dollars for Hadassah.

Silverman, who has been chairperson of the event since for several years, says every year it is harder to get volunteers.

“Unfortunately, many of our regulars wrappers are away or unable to help this year. As with any organization that is volunteer based, around the holidays it hard for people to squeeze in any extra time to help,” she said.

There are stories every year of unusual items brought in for wrapping, which have included bicycles and vacuum cleaners, but the one story that is still talked about is the man who brought in a tire for his wife.

When asked if there was a car to go with the tire, he simply said, “no.”

Chapter members are particularly proud to have multiple generations in their ranks.

The Karnes, Kriss, Silverman and Weisman families are a few of multi-generational club of wrappers.

One customer this year was so impressed with the group and the work they did on his gifts, he walked down the hall and purchased $10 gift cards to the Newport Creamery for the eight ladies working.

There are even “regular” customers who come to the booth year after year to have their purchases attended to.

“Originally, I had one gift wrapped because honestly, I was too lazy to do it myself,” said Brian Minden, a repeat customer of eight years. “Once I started talking to the ladies about why they volunteer, and the work that the organization does, I started bringing more and more presents to them. Now, I count on them to do it all for me. I would be in big trouble if they weren’t here.”

Even with the Patriots playing on Saturday, Christmas Eve, the lines of last-minute shoppers were steady.

Everyone was patient, waiting for their turn to have their purchases turned into decorative packages. The women talk to the customers, to help pass the time and learn their holiday stories.

“We are so excited to be here. People were waiting for us to open while we were setting up on the first day,” said chapter President Sally Rotenberg.

Hadassah is the Women’s’ Zionist Organization of America. Established in 1912 by Henrietta Szold, Hadassah founded, owns and supports two world-class medical centers in greater Jerusalem. Hadassah is the largest Jewish organization in America, and one of the largest women’s volunteer organizations in the world, boasting 300,000 members.

They are currently planning their centennial celebration in Israel for June 2012.

For more information about Hadassah, the works they do or membership, check out www.hadassah.org.