It’s Christmas morning, the stockings are full, and there’s a huge pile of presents under the tree waiting to be opened. For some kids, the only way they’ll experience that joy is through Angel Tree.
Angel Tree is an organization that allows anyone to “adopt” a family or child, and buy gifts for them for Christmas. This year, FCCLA is in charge of this event.
“We get all the stuff from a social worker and each one has a paper, and on that paper, it tells the age of the kid, what gender they are, and things that they like as well as their sizes,” junior Arianna Gonzalez said. “You would get this [paper] from whatever teacher is with your organization.”
There are 50 families that the school hopes to serve, and any group, academic class, club, or person can sponsor an entire family or singular kid.
“Participating in the Angel Tree organization just feels like something everyone should want to do,” English II teacher and NHS sponsor Alison Brayton said. “Whenever I see the Christmas wish list for so many children and how most items are essentials, like socks and a blanket, it makes me wonder how that could not tug on someone’s heartstrings.”
Classes that have accumulated presents can go to the gym and drop them off to culinary students Dec. 17.
“We will provide hot chocolate and cookies to those that bring donations down to the gym,” Davis said. “FCCLA students plan to create a backdrop that can be used for photos. The purpose of the festivities is to provide a positive atmosphere and as a thank you to those choosing to help families in need.”
Brayton said that Angel Tree teaches students to be charitable and offer service to those around them, hopefully beyond the holidays and Christmas.
“I am of the mindset that people should be caring and empathetic always, not just during a holiday,” Brayton said. “But sometimes life gets in everyone’s way and distracts them from other people’s issues; work or school can get stressful. However, it just feels like society collectively gets a bit more of a thankful and generous atmosphere when holidays are around, which I think is good. It seems to focus everyone and give them perspective on what truly matters: everyone is deserving of kindness.”
Senior Paige Rutland has participated in Angel Tree for the past three years with either FFA, golf or NHS.
“The Angel Tree program provides so much help to families, while also giving kids the ability to give back to their community in a way that is meaningful,” Rutland said. “I love being able to give back to the community and provide a chance for kids to experience opening a pile of presents on Christmas morning!”
This year anyone has the opportunity to make ornaments that will be put on the Christmas tree at the front entrance of the school. Ornaments can be turned into FCCLA students up until Christmas break.
“This is the first year we are having everyone join in decorating the Christmas Tree,” Davis said. “We wanted to include the entire school in the Angel Tree event. People won’t be Grinches when they see others participating in decorating the Christmas Tree. Having the ability to represent their group in a creative way, and for everyone to see, will make some people very proud.”
Brayton said that everyone should strive to help others be happy and fulfilled especially during the holiday season, and Angel Tree is one way to accomplish that.
“I think the overall goal or message of Angel Tree is very simple: everyone deserves a good quality of life, especially children,” Brayton said. “It should be something society cares about every day.”
