Christmas gifts and food baskets for Rockingham County families have become a Probate Court tradition. This year (2009) the four courts in the Rockingham County Courthouse, Exeter District, Brentwood Family, Rockingham Probate and Superior Courts, have joined forces to provide Christmas to a family of five from Deerfield. Gifts for each member of the family and a food basket are being prepared.

It all began six years ago when Probate Court employees decided to buy gifts for an Exeter family. Families from Brentwood, Plaistow and Kingston have also benefited over the years. The court works with different agencies to find a needy family from a different town in Rockingham County.

In addition to the Christmas tradition, Probate Court employees have also participated in Day of Caring which occurs in September and May of each year. Locations in Rockingham County are chosen from a list of non-profit agencies. Last year it was for a daycare in Exeter, Great Bay Housing in Newington and a Red Cross blood drive in Exeter.