Over 500 McDonald County kids benefit from Angel Tree project
Published: December 24, 2005
More than 500 McDonald County youngsters will have something under the tree this year, thanks to a volunteer effort.
Organized in 1999, the Angel Tree Project of McDonald County provided Christmas gifts to between 530 and 540 children 15 and under.
“Last year, we were right around 500, so we see a good increase every year,” said Suzanne Sutton, director.
Applicants are screened through one of the following organizations: The Division of Family Services, Economic Security, and Crosslines.
Information from the applications is transferred to Angel Cards, and includes the child’s age, Christmas wish or need, and whether the child is a boy or girl. Children’s names are not included on the Angel Cards, Sutton said.
“We give the Angel Cards to area banks and some of the businesses,” she said. “The businesses may put up a Christmas tree with the Angel Cards on them, or they might put the cards on garland and put it up in their business.”
Customers and clients can then look at the cards and choose one or more Christmas wish to fulfill, returning the gifts to the business. Volunteers then come and collect the items, which are organized and distributed to the children.
“The first year, we only had about 120,” Sutton said.
Sutton said volunteers do not wrap the toys, but merely bag them for distribution. New Mac Electric loans the use of its community room in Anderson, where toys are organized, bagged and distributed. Families come on distribution day to pick up their gifts. For this year’s project, Wednesday was distribution day.
“We don’t wrap the gifts, as the parents want to have a part in this,” she said. “And we don’t deliver anything.”
Oftentimes, Sutton said, the number of children exceeds the number of businesses and individuals who are able to help with the project. Therefore, the project relies on both gifts and monetary donations to provide gifts for all children needing assistance. Most of this assistance comes from businesses and individuals, although the United Way does contribute some money for the program each year.
Along with donations, volunteers are always important on large community projects. This year, about 20 people volunteered to help with the project.
“We have the most volunteers we have ever had this year,” Sutton said. “They make it so much easier. As people have become more aware of the program, more and more have come down to help out.”
Sutton said while November and December are obviously the busiest times, she actually begins her preparations for the drive in August.
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