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The Giving Tree
Written By: Donna Rhodes | Issue: December 2024
It’s easy to spread the gift of Christmas Joy – just visit the Giving Tree at Highlands Emergency Council.
“When one gives, two get happy” – Israelmore Ayivor.
This season, double-up the happy in your kindness quotient. Be part of The Giving Tree project.
When you give, you’ll receive a barrelful of joy in return. Provide gift(s) to any child represented on a Giving Tree ornament and that holiday memory will last them and you a lifetime.
Here’s how to get involved: Go to Highlands Emergency Council at 71 Poplar Street – or The Ugly Dog Pub in Highlands – and select a construction-paper ornament from a foam-core wall tree. Each ornament has a child’s individual number (for anonymity’s sake). On it, you’ll find that recipient’s size, gender, and age.
For each kid, spend within a $25 to $50 range. Take your unwrapped gift, ornament attached, to HEC. Or you can get an ornament at the Highlands Presbyterian Church or the United Methodist Church, and follow the same procedure.
Duncan Greenlee, in charge of The Giving Tree, offers these gift suggestions: purchase popular items such as games, puzzles, radio-controlled machines, super heroes, Lego, books, economical drones, stuffed animals/dolls (Furby to Barbie), binoculars, art sets, or a kid’s record player. You can also buy clothing but consider giving to the Coat Drive, which is in tandem with needy kids projects.
Bear in mind that many children and their families are exceptionally in need this holiday. Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, coupled with loss of income, and shortage of just about everything, has created a stressful environment for many kids. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have an exceptional Christmas to make up for the losses they’ve experienced this year?
Thanks to all who helped through churches and especially the Highlands Emergency Council, which has been an extension of family care since 1982, beginning as a project of the Highlands Women’s Club. HEC’s been filling in what’s missing due to uncontrollable circumstances all these years. Consider going above-and-beyond with donations, just as they do for their community.
Make yourself some double happiness this season, for you and kids, and HEC. For more information, visit highlandsemergencycouncil.com, or call (828) 526-4357.
