Giving Tree

The holidays presents a special challenge to families who are struggling.  Therefore, each year we create of list of children from families in need of help with holiday gifts.  We interview the families, and get the name, age and size of each child under the age of 16 and create ornaments that are hung on our tree each November.  The sex, age and size of the child is put on the ornament. The goal is to provide at least one toy and two clothing gifts for each child.  People take one or more ornaments and bring back age appropriate items for the child.  To maintain the dignity of our families, the family names are not released.

The gifts are collected and sorted here, and distributed to the families.  Due to the growing need here, the Giving Tree is restricted to families with an affiliation to St Willebrord.  Besides the children’s gifts, a large assortment of household supplies and non-perishable food and a Christmas meat are distributed, all shortly before Christmas.  In the past several years we have assisted about 60 families and 170 children.

Are you interested in being a part of our Giving Tree?  There are several ways:

• You can take one or more ornaments from the tree and purchase items for the children

• You can become part of our “Christmas Angels" who help sort and bag the gifts

• You can contribute towards the purchase of gifts.  Checks can be made payable to the St Willebrord Giving Tree.

• You can become part of our social concerns committee and help us plan.  All are welcome!