Giving the gift of Christmas
Angel Tree volunteers wrap gifts to be delivered to children, families in need
HAMPTON — Last week, several dozen volunteers set up shop inside an empty Hampton Coliseum — which alone amounted to a busy day for the arena during the pandemic.
Mindful of social distancing protocols, they lent their best gift-wrapping skills Friday for Hampton’s Angel Tree project to bring Christmas to children and families in need.
The Hampton Healthy Families Partnership foundation started this effort in 2007, bringing Christmas to 50 children that year with an assist from one church.
Over the years, organizers have helped hundreds of children each year by setting up the “Angel Tree,” adorned with paper ornaments listing a child’s age, sizes, gender, their needs and wishes for Christmas at city hall. Interested persons, local groups and churches select an ornament, purchase the gifts and drop them off at the nonprofit’s Hampton office, where they are wrapped and delivered.
Children ranging in ages from infancy up to 18, by the end of the year, are selected through social services. This year, the pandemic almost stymied the project. In past
years, the nonprofit would wrap presents inside a small conference room and hallway within its downtown offices.
“They knew that it wasn’t (going to) happen this year because of this (pandemic),” Ruthann Kellum, its board vice president, said, gesturing to the busy operation with volunteers stationed at multiple tables 6 feet apart.
They didn’t put up a tree either. Instead, organizers secured the coliseum as an alternate site and sent out the ornaments electronically to former donors, churches, military, businesses, individuals and anyone interested in giving. This year’s effort netted 369 gifts that were donated and wrapped last week, and all are expected to be delivered by Christmas, Kellum said.
Melvin Hill, 41, retired military and the board treasurer, has served 11 years with the organization. Being able to give back has a personal connection.
“There were some years, we didn’t get anything for Christmas. I want to say at least two years that our
parents had to sit us down and have that talk to us about how times were hard. And programs like these (weren’t) around,” said Hill, who grew up in South Carolina. “It’s devastating to a young person (to) not receive anything on a holiday. I still remember that. It’s important that I make sure other kids don’t have that same experience.”
Charlene Johnson also remembers when she needed help as a young mother, two decades ago, receiving help from the organization she now heads as board president.
Now, it feels just as good to be able to give back.
“What we’re dealing with today, you know, there’s a lot of sadness. People are losing family members. People are not being able to make ends meet,” Johnson said. “My mantra has always been that nothing feels as good as giving.”
The Helpers is a feature from The Virginian-Pilot and the Daily Press about people and groups who are helping others during the coronavirus outbreak. To read the other stories in the series, visit pilotonline.com/thehelpers or dailypress.com/thehelpers.