Southern Arkansas University is again hosting the Columbia County Angel Tree and is open for sponsors to select angels. The program aims to make Christmas great for more than 250 children and 93 families in Columbia County.
The Angel Tree serves children in need from infancy through high school seniors by providing sponsors with information about each child’s age, gender, sizes and gift requests. It also serves as an engine to the local economy. Even conservative estimates suggest that sponsors donate more than $40,000 in clothing, toys and electronics every year.
There are several ways donors can help:
- Become a sponsor. There is no specific amount required to be spent on each child, but $50 is suggested. If sponsoring a family, it is suggested that $50 be spent per child. Gifts need not be gift-wrapped, but donations of wrapping paper are welcome.
- Donate any amount of money and the shopping will be done for you. Even small monetary gifts will be matched with Angels.
- Volunteer. Let SAU know if you would like to help with this exciting and worthy project.
Since 2008, the Angel Tree has been at SAU. From 2008-2013, it was co-coordinated by two student organizations – Lambda Alpha Beta (the Chemistry Club) and Sigma Tau Delta (the English Honor Society). For the past three years, it has been headed up by University Housing at SAU. For several years prior to 2008, the Magnolia Housing Authority coordinated the county’s Angel Tree efforts.
The Angel Tree is located in SAU Reynolds 218 and gifts are due by 5 p.m. Dec. 14, 2017, in room 218. Please call 870-235-4047 with any questions.
