Night Elf Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 One thing I miss about going to church is the Christmas giving tree. It was a list of needs/wants for a child so I knew exactly what to shop for. I'd like to do that this Christmas but I don't know where to find this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie in Austin Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 I am sure you can find a community group that does this--blue Santa (police), etc. Call a local food pantry, maybe. And I'm sure a church would be glad to have your help, even if you didn't attend there (assuming that would be OK with you). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 In our community, they have trees like this at the mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwenhwyfar Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 i don't know about where you are, but in our previous community, the salvation army had a big christmas tree set up in zellers and you could take a tag from the tree (it would just say gender and age - "boy 11" or "girl 4"), buy a gift, and take it to the customer service desk - they attached the tag to the gift, set it aside, and the SA people would pick them up and put them into the 'christmas baskets' that were delivered to families in need. do you have a SA in your community? maybe you could check with them.... ..also, check with any 'social services' type agencies - there are often different programs that 'sponsor' families for christmas and you might be able to find somewhere that you can help through them. (sometimes groups do this - a workplace group, class, etc... everyone gets involved and buys presents & christmas foods for a family) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 We do the Angel Tree every year, which is like that. You can pick a family or individual and it will have a want and some needs listed, then you can buy things off the list. It's run by the Salvation Army and is at most malls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Check the mall. Our local mall has a Christmas giving tree every year. I used to take my older two kids every year. They'd each pick a tag, and we'd go shopping. Then one year, it disappeared from the food court. I found out last year that they moved it to a less prominent location at one of the very ends of the mall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tutor Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Our WalMart hosts an Angel Tree. Also, if you have a university nearby, check with them. Ours is collecting Christmas shoeboxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EppieJ Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Samaritan's Purse also has what they call "Operation Christmas Child". You fill up a shoe box with various gifts and send it to them (or find someplace that's sending a bunch - our Awana group does this). They distribute the gifts around the world. You can get a tracking number, too, and find out where the gift goes. http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/OCC_Impact/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cindergretta Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Check the mall. Our local mall has a Christmas giving tree every year. I used to take my older two kids every year. They'd each pick a tag, and we'd go shopping. Then one year, it disappeared from the food court. I found out last year that they moved it to a less prominent location at one of the very ends of the mall. Yes, they did move that tree and it totally tripped me up for a minute. I wonder why they moved it?? It seems like it would get more "business" in its old location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Our WalMart hosts an Angel Tree. K-Mart, too. Not sure about Target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bettyandbob Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Our local homeless shelter is a family shelter that is part of bigger charity serving needy families in my area--they do this. You can call your local social services, they have lists of these charities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 The Angel Tree Program is a ministry of The Salvation Army, so you might try contacting your local chapter to find out how you can adopt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraGB Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Definitely contact your local Salvation Army. Also check the shelters (women/children shelters, temporary-til-you-get-on-your-feet shelters, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angela in ohio Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Our Target store has one each year, as does the mall. Our local schools give away baskets of food and toys; you could call the school to see if you could help, if they do it there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Last year we gave through Toys for Tots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaAkins Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Local malls, community centers, and school counselors usually have an "angel tree." You can also check with specific charities--Salvation Army, Helping Hands Ministry, Food pantries, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jujsky Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Our BJs always has a tree as well as the mall (both Salvation Army as far as I know). Our local paper also does a gift drive called "The Santa Fund" and have drop-boxes all over the community. Keep your eyes and ears open and I'm sure you'll find something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dobela Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 As you get closer to Christmas, call your local agency that handles foster care. There are many children who enter foster care around that time and the social workers are always looking for gifts for the children. Often children arrive past deadlines for the Angel Tree and other charitable organizations. I know as a former foster parent I really appreciated those last minute gifts for last minute kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 Oh, you ladies gave such wonderful suggestions! I wish I could take them all! It will be hard to choose. But at least I have some leads now. Thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 My kids and I are going to gather some things and bake cookies for our local homeless shelter. They are predicting the need to great this winter because of the economy. ETA: Also, I know our church's food pantry is in great need of food items. They help our whole community and where I live, the need is great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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