The Angel Tree program is an assistance program that helps families in need for Christmas.
This a national organization that spreads across the United States and helps children and families who can’t afford gifts, by registering children as an “angel” from church, school or online. The only required information is the child’s name, age, gender and a list of items that they want.
Counselor secretary Dana Outlaw is in charge of running the Angel Tree. She looks after the angels’ adoption and handles donations received from individuals or club organizations.
“(There is a) limit of two pairs of clothing, and only $25 limit for the gifts,” Outlaw said.
Caney Creek has been contributing to the angel tree for a long time with donations from parents, students and faculty.
“It started here in Caney Creek years ago reaching out because there was students in need during christmas time and we thought that would be good to have something to start,” Outlaw said.
Many clubs and organizations such as the Leo Club, Key Club, FFA and Student Council have lend a helping hand to adopting an angel. Some then volunteered their time by shopping and wrapping the gifts so that they are ready to be distributed.
President of StuCo Ivan Sanchez said the members of the organization wanted to serve the community and give back.
“Helping out any way possible is always the right thing to do,” Sanchez said.
The Leo Club went shopping for two angels, each of the members bringing their own money, and wrapped the gifts as well. The angel tree not only helps the needy for christmas, but also makes members grow.
”It teaches the kids helping others for children without christmas, many of them been in that situation it makes us feel good inside,” Leo Club adviser Carrie Bryant said.
Attendance assistant Veronica Castro adopted an angel and said she wanted to give back.
“Some kids don’t have as much as our kids now these days,’” Castro said. “I make my kids shop for those kids, so they can see the value of giving.”
Giving back is what these individuals and clubs stand for.
“The reason we get from it is being able to know a students to have gotten a christmas,” Outlaw said. “Seeing the parents faces and being able to know that they were able to give their child something for christmas.”