 Angel
Tree gives at-risk children hope during holiday season
by Atieh-Neeki Khayat
ASU HERALD 12/2/04 -- It's that time of the year
again. Remember Christmas morning when you were a kid? The minute
you opened your eyes you would run to the beautifully decorated
Christmas tree with colored lights and open your Christmas gift.
However, not all kids are fortunate enough to receive
a gift on Christmas morning. But thanks to Angel Trees all around
the nation, these kids get to share the happiness and joy of Christmas
too.
Right now in our community there are children who
are among the most at-risk children in the nation. It is so easy
to connect with them through Angel Tree.
Angel Tree Christmas gives ASU students an opportunity
to help their community by helping to meet the physical, emotional
and spiritual needs of the less fortunate families.
Angel Tree is a non-profit project sponsored by
ASU Honors Association (ASUHA) to benefit families in Northeast
Arkansas in need of Christmas assistance. Each angel represents
a child who needs a shirt, shoes, pants and a toy.
This year's angels come from the City Youth Ministry.
A total of 50 kids were selected, and for each child, four angels
are displayed on the Christmas tree representing the needed items
for each child.
A successful Angel Tree Christmas experience requires
the work of a dedicated volunteer team. ASUHA has been sponsoring
the Angel Tree program at ASU campus for the last eight years. Many
fraternities and sororities such as the Delta Sigma Beta and Phi
Beta Sigma have also sponsored some angels.
"Each year we try to choose a different organization
to reach different children," said Robin Joslin, secretary
of the Honors College.
The Angel Tree is located on the main floor of
the library in front of the circulation desk. Anyone can pick an
angel and bring the gift to the Honors College.
About 80 of the total 200 angels on the tree have
been sponsored so far. All ASU students, faculty and staff are encouraged
to sponsor an angel.
Participating in Angel Tree is a powerful way for
students to show their support, compassion and love for the community
they live in, Joslin said.
"By participating we can get involved and
help the community. It gives us a chance to do a public service
and encourage everyone to be charitable and bring joy to many families,"
said Vini Rusaj, the graduate assistant of the Honors College.
The Honors College will hold a wrapping party on
Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. where all gifts will be wrapped and
sent to the City Youth Ministry. The City Youth Ministry will also
have a celebration on Dec. 12 giving the opportunity for people
who donated gifts to meet the children in person. |
