The Concordian

Media Credit: Wendy Holdren The Salvation Army Angel Tree set up in the Student Center was depleted of its angels quickly this year. [Click to enlarge]

Concord University has been helping the Salvation Army with their Christmas Tree Angel program for twenty-three years.

The Student Center Office personnel pick up 100 Christmas Tree Angel tags around the middle of November each year.

Former Student Center Director, Bill Skeat, started the tradition here at Concord.

“He saw a way that our institution could give back to the local and surrounding community by assisting the Salvation Army in providing Christmas to needy children,” current Student Center Director Anna Hardy said. “He thought he would see how much support this program would receive.”

It was a huge success and even now after Skeat has retired, the tradition has continued.

Tags include the names of children from Mercer County and surrounding areas, ages from birth to 13. The tags have clothing sizes and a list of the child’s favorite toys. Participants can choose something from the list or buy whatever they think would be appropriate.

These tags are placed on a Christmas tree in the main lobby of the Student Center. When a tag is selected, the participant removes the bottom portion with the identification number. Each one has a different number so when gifts are turned in to the office, they can be identified with the correct “angel.”

So far, every year all the tags have been selected, but Hardy says this year they were selected much quicker than before.

An e-mail was sent on Nov. 24 to inform everyone that all the angel tags had been selected from the tree, but food items, as well as presents, will still be accepted until Dec. 9.

“This quick outpouring of support and love is just amazing during the difficult financial times that people are experiencing,” Hardy said. “As the gifts are delivered to the office we are able to see the excitement and enthusiasm in the faces of those giving and know that they receive as much of a blessing as the little children who will receive the presents.”

She says that many local businesses also participate in this event, but she believes Concord is one of the most successful. She hopes to “continue with this mission for many years to come.”

Anyone who was not able to select an angel from the tree can still help out by buying children’s presents or donating a non-perishable canned or boxed food item.

A box is located beside the Christmas tree in the Student Center lobby for food items.

All gifts and donations need to be turned in by Dec. 9 in order for the Salvation Army staff to pick them up before their distribution party.

Hardy appreciates all donations and said, “On behalf of these angels and their families, the Student Center staff would like to send out a special heart-felt thanks for making this event such a great success and giving these kids the hope of Christmas!”

Article Tools