Every year the same holiday rolls around, and those fortunate enough have a house to decorate with lights, stockings, trees and most of the time presents. Some people however aren’t able to afford to spend a little extra during the holiday season, but still want to make their child have a magical month.
That’s where giving trees and angel trees come in. During Christmas time if you look hard enough, you can see or hear about one of these trees. Anywhere from a Scooters, Walmart, church or even right here in Millard West.
Done through The Salvation Army, once a child or senior is signed up as an “angel” they will give no more than their name, age and list to donors. Afterwards, the places such as mentioned before set up these trees, for participants to choose their angel.
“I got my angel child through my AP World History class,” sophomore Grace Heftie said. “We bring our gifts to class, then they are taken to The Salvation Army to be given to children in a certain age range. Our child is a girl ages 3-5, and I got her a book, play dough and a doll.”
During Christmas time when so many are used to seeing loads upon loads of gifts under their tree, they look for ways they can share those experiences with others who are less fortunate. One of the many places that offers this chance of giving are churches.
“I think that I am so fortunate with all the gifts that I get for Christmas and that giving back is really important for those that may not be,” senior Natalie Hamaker said. “I also think it’s really important giving back through our churches, serving and giving back to the people in need.”
Teachers at Millard West are sent an email, explaining the angel tree, and asking for those who would like to participate. Shortly after, they are followed up by a note in their mailboxes with their specific child. One teacher who decided to give back was history teacher Alexander Fields, gladly taking in a 6-8 year old boy for his classroom.
“I plan to continue doing this every year,” Fields said. “It’s the least one could do for people who maybe don’t have as much as I do. It might just bring some tiny little bit of joy to some kid, because what’s better than some unexpected present.”
No matter how many Christmases come and go, hopefully, these little acts of kindness will leave long-term memories for those on the receiving end. For some who are fortunate to have present-filled Christmases, it could be easy to forget some don’t experience the joy of Christmas on the same level, and maybe it could spark some Christmas spirit to be someone’s Santa for just one day of the year.
