MALL HAS A REAL GIVING TREE
Shoppers can choose ornaments, buy gifts for needy children.
When you’re picking out that new pair of shoes and piles of gifts for your children this holiday shopping season, you might also want to buy a couple extra presents.
There’s an extra-special tree inside the Gardens Mall in front of Sears. Unveiled the morning of Black Friday, it’s decorated with ornaments that have the names, ages and dream gifts of kids from low-income families. All the children are 12 years old or younger.
Shoppers can choose any child’s ornament from the tree, buy a gift and bring it back. Spending $25 to $50 per child is suggested, and each donor is encouraged to buy at least one toy and one outfit.
The Angel Tree program provides presents to more than 1,500 kids and their families in Palm Beach County, according to the Salvation Army. Chil- dren who don’t get their gifts through an Angel Tree will get them from the Toy Shop, which is supported by money that’s donated or collected through the Salvation Army’s famous red kettles.
The families have applied for Christmas assistance from the Salvation Army or been referred by other agencies.