By Maggie O’Neill
All together now: Give!
Children are eagerly awaiting Christmas. They are anticipating something special on that day: a special meal, a gift, a treat, a book to read, a game to play, something new to wear.
Parents who are accessing services of Catholic Charities very much want to delight their children on Christmas. But they are working with Catholic Charities because they are dealing with something very overwhelming right now. Some are fighting their way out of poverty. Some are seeking safety from abuse. Some are working to overcome addiction. Yet others are adjusting to life in a new country.
These parents’ self-esteem and resources are stretched beyond thin and frayed to breaking.
Angel Tree provides these parents with the dignity of bringing joy to their children at Christmas.
One parent who participated in the Angel Tree last year wrote to us, saying:
I just wanted to take the time to say Happy New Year and thank you so much for the right-on-time gift card blessing to my family and me. We greatly appreciate the special Christmas holiday blessing, especially during these times.
The way it works, during this second pandemic Christmas, is that people of goodwill sponsor families with donations that will go toward $35 gift cards for each child (age 16 or younger) via Catholic Charities’ Angel Tree web page.
Parents receive Angel Tree gift cards the week before Christmas from the Catholic Charities staff member they know and work with.
Catholic Charities is serving more people than ever during the prolonged troubles caused by the pandemic. So, we have more families than ever on our Angel Tree this year: 873 families composed of 2,048 children. These are breathtaking numbers.
Thanks to companies like Singleton Electric, parishes like Holy Rosary, families like the Davises and individuals like Mary Jo O’Connor and her book club friends, dozens of families are already sponsored.
Hundreds more families await Angel Tree sponsors.
Become a shining star on our Angel Tree by sponsoring a family. And please, spread the word to your friends and family, too. The last day to sponsor a family is Dec. 12.
Maggie O’Neill is director of Catholic Charities’ volunteer office.
