JA Angel Tree helps families during holidays
Community organization partners with schools, agencies for project
The Junior Auxiliary of St. Francis County is reaching out to area residents for help in making Christmas special for needy children and their families.
The JASFC Angel Tree is an annual service project during which the group partners with local schools to identify children in need. Schools turn in children's names each year, and JASFC members and volunteers take time filing out tickets showing the children's ages and sizes before placing them on Christmas Trees for local businesses, civic groups and other good Samaritans to pick up and complete.
"When you choose an Angel, you'll pick a card off a tree," explained Caitlyn Sweet, this year's Angel Tree chair. "Each card will have clothing sizes, an age, a gender, and generally we ask people to buy underwear, socks, shoes, pants, shirts, sweaters, a set of pajamas and a toy."
Sweet said children newborn through 12 years of age are eligible for the program.
"People like to do it in different ways. Some come in and want two children from the same family, or they want a whole family," explained Sweet. "Some people want a specific age. Sometimes that age correlates to their children or their grandchildren because they want to teach them to participate in community service and that sort of thing."
Sweet said the process is completely private and participants do not know the names of the children they are shopping for.
"The children will not know that mom and dad didn't go out and buy these things for them," added Sweet. "It gives a traditional Christmas to kids who wouldn't otherwise have that, and we can't do it without the support of the community.
"This community has been amazingly supportive of Angel Tree for a long time now," said Sweet, who added donations for the project had already begun to come in. "They've called us to make sure we remind them of when Angel Tree Week is coming and what they want to pick up."
"Pickup week this year is Nov. 1 through 5," said Sweet. "The Campbell House will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., every day. It will also be open from 5 until 7 p.m., every day for people to come pick up their Angels."
Sweet said she does not have the final numbers of Angels yet but suspects a good number of tickets will need to be filled.
She also said those wanting to participate may also pick up Angels from a tree at the First Baptist Church during the Kiwanis Club’s annual pancake day on Nov. 2.
"Other locations are the Forrest City Area Chamber office and Palestine City Hall," said Sweet, who asks residents to be respectful at pickup locations that require a mask to enter.
"It is a busy time and a really fun time," said Sweet. "We look forward to it every year."
Once residents have completed shopping for their “angel” they are asked to wrap the presents and place them in the provided bags for drop off.
"Once you get your angel, you'll be given instructions and a large bag to bring back gifts in," said Sweet. "We ask that you wrap it and put it in the bag with the tag attached and return that to us."
Sweet said the JASFC also has wrapping days set aside for the group to get all gifts wrapped.
"Just as long as the items are still labeled with that child's number we can get it taken care of,” she said.
Sweet also said those who want to donate to the project are welcome to do that instead of shopping.
"I would say the average cost to cover an angel is around $100, but any donation is welcome," said Sweet, who added donations of $20 or more would be able to select an angel ornament from the JASFC's tree for the event. "Those who chose a child or make those donations of $20 or more get an ornament for that year."
"Every year we also serve the families of the children who get gifts," said Sweet. "The families will get a Christmas dinner so they can have a good holiday meal."
Sweet said that in the past, Boar's Head and local grocery stores have helped contribute to these meals.
"We've also tried to include, in the past, something for the family to do together. We've done a board game, movie and popcorn, blankets just something they can do as a family," said Sweet. "The family pack also includes hygiene items."
Sweet said local dentists offices have donated toothbrushes and toothpaste for bags, but those wanting to donate other hygiene items are welcome to as well.
"We've also taken some money to go out and buy soaps and the like, just whatever our budget allows really," said Sweet. "It is going to be a really good Angel Tree year. We've gotten a lot of response from the schools and have already gotten a lot of response from donors. We are just so thankful to the community. We are happy to be St. Francis County's Junior Auxiliary. This is home, and the community really shows up and shows out to treat us like their own."