The Dean of Students Office and the local Salvation Army are teaming up for the 13th holiday season to bring gifts and happiness to needy youngsters through the “Angel Tree Program.”
The program allows families to individually select unwrapped toys for their children from the shelves at the Salvation Army in Schenectady. Families are chosen based on the ages and number of their children and income eligibility. This year's sign-up days are November 28 and 29 at the Army's building at 222 Lafayette Street.
“Many children wouldn't receive a toy at all if it weren't for this program,” said Marjorie Wheeler, administrative assistant for the Schenectady Salvation Army. “The parents are thrilled and really excited to be able to choose gifts that they think their children will like.”
Unwrapped gifts for boys and girls age birth to 11 years are still needed. New toys and gifts should fall within the $8-10 price range and be dropped off at the Dean of Students Office in the Reamer Campus Center, Room 306, by Dec. 11.
In past years, the campus community has supported the program with more than 100 games, dolls, trucks, stuffed animals and toys being donated. With the participation of other organizations in the community, the Salvation Army typically prepares 600 food baskets and helps 400 families provide gifts for their children on Christmas morning.
“Our office organizes this program,” said Trish Vanderhoof, program specialist in the Dean of Students Office, “but there is no one person that makes this happen. It is the generosity of many throughout the campus and community that ensures so many children have a special holiday season.”
Angel tags identifying the gender and age-appropriateness of the toy can be picked up in the Dean of Students office and should be taped to the unwrapped toys. For additional information, or to have a tag sent to you, contact Kim Puorto at 388-6061 or purotok@union.edu.