Kim Puorto was a bit nervous when she called on her fellow Union employees to support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, but as it turns out, she didn’t need to be. The effort was a huge success, just as it has been every year for the last two decades.
“With the economy the way it is, I was a little uncertain what the response would be,” said Puorto, an administrative assistant in the Dean of Students Office. “But the Union community always pulls through.”
The purpose of Angel Tree is to bring toys to area children in need. As a participant in the program, the College asks Salvation Army for “Angel tags” bearing the names of deserving youngsters – and the toy they’d like to receive – each year.
Puorto ordered 100 tags, just like she usually does, and was pleased to see them all end up on the gifts that are festively heaped around her desk.
“I’m so happy this worked out and I appreciate everyone’s generosity,” she said, smiling. “I had people come back for more tags, and I even had one woman who gave a toy who said her family once benefited from this program.”
“It makes me, and everyone else, I think, feel so good to give,” Puorto added. “And that’s what this season is all about – giving.”