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A few years ago, a local business offered to be “angel sponsors” for some of the children in Big Brothers Big Sisters for Christmas. It hardly seemed fair to select only a few to benefit out of fifty-plus children, so BBBS staff reached out to other potential sponsors. Their Angel Tree project soon grew to encompass all of the children enrolled in the organization, with area businesses and individuals generously providing gifts. 

 

Big Brothers Big Sisters staff sorted and bagged the donations, then Bigs and parent/guardians arrived, soon leaving with arms filled and big smiles. BBBS volunteers Rob Fuller and Susie Kocher then helped with distributing remaining gifts. 

 

BBBS Program Coordinator, Karen Dacey says this is a wonderful resource for families who are often unable to stretch thin budgets to meet basic needs, much less cover additional holiday expenses.

 

When delivering presents to one grandmother last year, Dacey was invited in to see that beneath the Christmas tree was nearly bare, with only one small gift per child. The grandmother beamed with excitement for the difference that such thoughtful contributors would make for her three grandchildren’s Christmas. 

 

This year, Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Council member Lynn Costine created the angel trees and approached several area businesses that generously agreed to host Angel Trees. They are set up in Tryon at The Nest, McGourty’s Pub, and Pure Wellness and Spa, and at the Open Road in Columbus. Mocha’s Mug is an angel tree station in Landrum, as Polk Big Brothers Big Sisters also serves children in the Landrum area.

 

Please visit one of these sites and collect a tag to buy a gift(s) for a Little Brother or Little Sister. The tags are marked with gender and ages ranging from 6 to 18 years old with a special need for gifts for ages 12 and up. In the past Outreach Ministry has donated some of the leftover toys from their Toy Run supplies, and last year Toys for Tots covered the remainder of gifts for the younger Littles. As the saying goes, it takes a village.

 

Brightening a child’s life at Christmastime can brighten your spirits as well. If you or your church, club or business would like to sponsor a Little, please let BBBS know by calling 828-859-9230 or emailing polk@bbbswnc.org. Unwrapped gifts are due to the Big Brothers Big Sisters office at Tryon Town Hall by December 16. 

 

Submitted by Karen Dacey

 

Photos: 

Little Sister Amaya was thrilled to receive a bundle of presents from a previous Big Brothers Big Sisters Angel Tree project. (photo by Karen Dacey)

 

The Tryon Red Ryders BB Gun Club has adopted the Big Brothers Big Sisters Angel Tree as an annual project. Their members contribute a fabulous selection of gifts to share with the Littles, including sports equipment, art supplies, books, games, toys, make-up and toiletries, and much more. (photo by Dulcinea Juenger from their recent 2019 collection)