Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Paper Angel Tree

The Paper Angel Tree
The Salvation Army Angel Tree



It is early Christmas morning. There is excitement throughout the bedrooms of the children as they are waking up from a night of restless sleep. An anticipated morning which only comes once a year. As they eagerly wake their sleeping brothers and sisters to rush them to the living room, they begin to wonder what kind of presents are awaiting them under the Christmas tree. As soon as everyone is up, the halls are filled with pidder-paddering footsteps and laughter as they round the corner into the living room... only to find that there are not any boxes with big red bows and all the colorful paper symbolizing what this season is famous for. The season of giving and receiving. There are no presents under the tree. In some cases, there is not even a brightly lit tree with the shiny star on top.

At this point, they are not aware of the financial difficulties and stress their parents, single parent, grandparent, legal guardian, or foster parent has faced the days and months leading up to this holiday season. The children also are not aware of how hard it hurt the adults to not be able to provide Christmas gifts for them. One of the parents may have lost their job. One of the parents may have gotten terminally sick. In some cases, they only have one parent who is doing every thing they can to strive to float just above water. The struggle to keep the lights on month to month. The ability to keep food on the table. The medicines some are required to have just to live everyday without pain or suffering took the place of a new doll or train this year.

The dreams the children had of what was awaiting them under the tree is washed away by tears and a broken heart. The house is now quiet as the kids slowly turn to go back to the rooms where the morning began on a different note. Parents or caregivers are left with a burden that they failed the child. There is no going back to school and talking about what they got for Christmas. Only the devastation and embarrassment when other kids ask them questions.

Since 1979, there are many children who were going to be faced with a Christmas story as described above. However, many children have been provided with a happier ending thanks to the dream and the vision two people had to make a difference in the lives of children. Majors Charles and Shirley White were living in Lynchburg, Virginia, and were working at a local shopping mall collecting toys and clothing for children during the Christmas season. There the idea of the “Angel Tree” program was born.

The Salvation Army website says this “The program got its name because the Whites identified the wishes of local children by writing their gift needs on Hallmark greeting cards featuring pictures of angels and placing them on a Christmas tree at the mall. Thanks to the Whites, more than 700 children had a brighter Christmas that first year. Three years later, when the Whites were transferred to Nashville, Tennessee, Angel Tree was launched in Music City during the 1982 Christmas season.”

Children who are recipients of the Angel Tree gifts are from families who have applied for Christmas assistance through the Social Services program of The Salvation Army. During the application and qualification process, the sizes of the children and special needs and wants of the children are written on the application. Once the application is approved  the personal information is kept confidential. The other information is then written on the paper “angels”.

If you have ever had the chance to decorate an angel tree as I have, you realize the Paper Angel you are holding represents a child in your community who may not have anything for Christmas. Seeing the names makes it more personal. You see the first name only of the child. If it is a boy or a girl. The age of the child. The sizes of clothing and shoes the child wears. Then you see what the child is wishing for.

The “angels” contain a code number which corresponds to the application number as it was accepted. All children in a family have the same code number, followed by “1” for the first child, “2” second child, etc. The “angels” are then placed on Christmas trees in shopping malls or local businesses where they are selected by shoppers who then go purchase either the partial or full list as noted on the “angel”. After items are purchased, the gifts are taken to The Salvation Army.

Getting involved in “adopting” an angel off of the tree is simple. You choose if you want a boy or a girl and the age of the child you would like to buy for. You do not have to purchase all of the items on the wish list, just what you can afford. You see something is better than nothing. You and your co-workers or group at church can adopt a child together.

This will be the sixth year I will be hosting a Paper Angel Tree at Windi's Bridal Boutique in Douglas, Georgia. You see, I was faced with a challenge in November 2011 by Country music singer Jimmy Wayne “to partner with my local Salvation Army to help with the Paper Angel Tree Program.” See, as a child, Jimmy was a Paper Angel himself so he knows how important this program is to children. I wrote a blog about my first experience with sponsoring a tree in my shop. Each child on the tree has a story to tell. None of the stories are the same. I was so touched by this, I felt impressed to write a blog about it. Here is the link http://windiraper-faithjewels.blogspot.com/2011/11/one-from-heart.html

There is one question I leave you with... Are you willing to make a difference on Christmas morning in the life a child who is faced with possibly not having anything under the Christmas Tree? We are all blessed to be a blessing!

Our first year, there were about 25 children who were adopted. In our second year (2012) there were over 50 children adopted from my shop... I want to also thank those who have been adopters in the past who make this possible every year!!
 
To find out more about Jimmy Wayne and his story, you may go to his website www.jimmywayne.com

To find out more about Jimmy's Foundation, you may visit Project Meet Me Halfway's website at www.projectmmh.org.

To find a local Salvation Army to participate in the Paper Angel Tree Program, you may search their locations at www.salvationarmyusa.org


*** UPDATE ***

As of 2016, I have continued every year hosting an angel tree in my shop. It is amazing to see the families bringing their children in to choose a child that are excited about making a difference in the life of another child.


Here is the #PaperAngels song & video by Jimmy Wayne!!! It will get you all in the Christmas giving spirit by doing the most good!!!