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Family Giving Activity: Provide Gifts for a Child in Need

By Barbara Evangelista, Publisher November 30, 2016
At this time of year, many of us are looking for opportunities to make the holidays brighter for families in need, either through volunteering or donations. Providing gifts for a needy child via a Giving Tree or Angel Tree is a wonderful family activity that makes a real difference to local families who are struggling.

What is a "Giving Tree" or "Angel Tree"?  Local organizations receive lists of children or families (first names, ages, general needs) from local charities and prepare a paper ornament for each child. The ornaments are placed on a tree at the organization, and visitors choose a child (or two or ten -- as many as you can commit to) to purchase gifts for.  The gifts must be dropped off by a certain deadline (see each listing below) to allow time for delivery to the family. Some organizations need the gifts wrapped, others request them unwrapped -- details should be included on the tree itself. Many giving tree programs are also online, so you can request a child or family by email instead of visiting the tree location.

IMPORTANT: Taking a tag or receiving the name of a child or family via email is a commitment, and the organization is depending on you to supply the gifts. If you're not sure you'll be able to deliver the requested items, please leave the tag for another giver and drop off a gift card or cash instead so the organization can purchase presents for children whose tags aren't claimed. 

How can my children help?  Your children can participate in this giving project by shopping with you and helping to select the best warm clothes, toys or requested item for the recipient. They can wrap the gifts, if needed, and include a handmade card.

Local programs:

The Wish Project

1 Foundry St, Lowell
978-441-9474
Register to receive a family ID and information about needed items. Gifts should be dropped off at the Wish Project's Lowell location by December 10.  See their flyer for all the details and register for a family by emailing projects@thewishproject.org. (Please note the online registration form is currently down due to website renovations.)

Catholic Charities
70 Lawrence St, Lowell
978-452-1421
Coordinates the giving tree programs for local parishes such as St. Rita's, Ste Marguerite and St. Mary Magdalen. Most of the tags have already been claimed from the church trees but Catholic Charities has great need for toys, home items and clothing for local families in need. Unwrapped new gifts or gift cards for supermarkets or major stores can be dropped off at 70 Lawrence St until December 20th.

St. Anne's Episcopal Church
14 Treble Cove Rd, North Billerica
978-663-4073
Stop by to pick a paper ornament with a child's information; drop off your wrapped gift by 12/16. Benefits the Greater Lawrence Department of Children and Family Services.

99 Restaurant
160 Lexington Rd, Billerica
978-663-3999
Choose a tag from their tree and drop off gifts by 12/23

99 Restaurant
401 Main St, Tewksbury
978-863-9099
Choose a tag from their tree and drop off gifts by 12/18 

Greater Lowell YMCA
35 YMCA Dr, Lowell
978-454-7825
Stop in and pick up a tag or email Chantelle Ouellette for one.  Gifts (or gift cards or cash, both gratefully accepted) should be dropped off by December 21.

Billerica Library (children's room)
15 Concord Rd, Billerica
(978) 671-0948

The Miracle Providers NorthEast
Helps children and families impacted by HIV/AIDS. They currently have 190 children who need help this holiday season.  To arrange to provide gifts for a child, please email them at admin@mpne.org.

St Mary Parish
25 North Rd, Chelmsford
Giving trees are set up at the entrances to the church until December 4th, with gifts to be dropped off on December 10-11.  The program benefits many charities in Lowell, including the Alternative House, House of Hope and St. Vincent de Paul.  See all the details on page 3 of the church bulletin.

Littleton Parks, Recreation & Community Education
33 Shattuck St, Littleton MA
978-540-2490
littletonrec@littletonma.org
Stop by the Recreation department or visit the Reuben Hoar Library to pick up a Holiday Helpers ornament. Ornaments are color-coded based on the dollar value of the gift request. You can also sign up for one online -- "virtual ornaments" are posted daily on their Facebook page