Our neighborhood is known for its generosity, and it’s never more apparent than during the holidays. For the fifth year, neighbors are helping the Salvation Army make sure every needy child gets a gift through the Angel Tree project.
The Sierra 2 staff got the project rolling in mid-November by setting up the tree in the Sierra 2 Center lobby near the front door and hanging gift-wish tags on the tree. Each tag represents a child’s wish for a gift and includes his or her clothing sizes.
tags from the Angel Tree at the Sierra 2 Center. Both boys chose tags for boys who asked for trucks, games and sports balls from the Salvation Army program.
Photo/Joan Cusick
When neighbors stop in to select a tag, they sign the adjacent list with their name, phone number and the key information on the tag. Each one has a child’s name, age, size and gift wish. These range from a warm jacket (probably a mom’s idea) to Legos, sports balls, art supplies, books and scooters – lots of scooters this year. Neighbors often add clothes to a child’s wish.
After gifts are purchased, neighbors return them unwrapped to the Sierra 2 office, where they are put in a special bag with the child’s name and tag.
Before the end of November, most of the initial 100 tags had been taken, and the staff requested 50 more.
The deadline for returning the gifts is 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec.12.
Curtis Park neighbors bought more than 100 gifts last year. The staff hopes to double that this year. Sierra 2 staffer Stacy is in charge of the program this year, but most staffers can answer questions at 916 452-3005.
Among the many nonprofit organizations helping to feed and clothe poor people in our region are Loaves & Fishes, Wellspring Women’s Center on Fourth Avenue, the Food Bank at 33rd Street and Broadway and the Salvation Army.