The Angel Tree is set up in the commons, filled with more than the typical decorations. Paper ornaments dangling from the branches display children’s Christmas wishes with the hope students will participate in this charitable event.
“It was really cool to see the kids reactions, since they don’t normally get that much stuff, and the little things we get them, like underwear, jeans, or shoes that we get every day, is really big to them,” senior Courtney Penny said.
Sponsored by senior Madison Pfaff, the Angel Tree helps benefit children in a low-income apartment complex in downtown McKinney. For seven years, Pfaff’s family has been helping these kids by mentoring and also tutoring them. They were able to get the school involved and with the help of PALS, started the school’s Angel Tree.
“What we do, is every year my family kind of ‘adopts’ these children by going in to mentor and tutor them. For Christmas we want to go make sure they have a good Christmas, because otherwise they wouldn’t have it,” Pfaff said.
By taking part in the Angel Tree program a student will be expected to purchase a holiday present that a less fortunate child might not be able to have. Each card hanging from the tree has a name and the child’s gift ideas displaying a need, a want, a shirt size and a shoe size. Unlike most donation events, the Angel Tree allows students to make their gift somewhat personal, as well as help someone in need over the holidays.
“Seeing high school kids donating their time and their money to helping these kids was really cool because, you don’t really think of it, but we’re all willing to help, and you don’t see it till something like that comes into the school,” Penny said.
Any student can participate in this event and a signup sheet is provided. All the presents are due Friday (December 14), along with the child’s information card. This holiday tradition is a way of giving back to the community and spreading the holiday spirit.
“It made it worthwhile when we saw all the kids run up to get their presents,” Penny said.
