St. Louis Arcs Annual Giving Tree
For over 20 years, the St. Louis Arc has partnered with businesses and individuals in the St. Louis community for the St. Louis Arc Giving Tree. This year, 220 children were identified from our Capable Kids and Family, Parents Learning Together, and Belle Children Services programs for the Giving Tree.
Each year, volunteers choose from Giving Tree tags which list a childs first name, age, sizes, and their wish list and needed items for Christmas. The items on the needs list typically include necessities such as a coat, shoes, or pajamas. The items on the wish list include toys, games, and other items the child would enjoy. Volunteers then go shopping for the child and return the unwrapped items to the Arc by mid-December. Many volunteers choose to give cash donations, allowing Arc elves to shop for any unfulfilled wish lists.
Giving Tree couldnt happen without the help of the St. Louis community.
This year, six corporate partners and over 50 individual volunteers participated in the Giving Tree, providing nearly 900 gifts. Departments at Express Scripts, Saint Louis Priory School, STL Staffing, Dent Wizard, and Hays worked with the Arc to provide gifts and donations to those in need. A team from US Bank joined the Arc to spend a day wrapping and organizing gifts for delivery before Christmas.
The entire project takes months to organize. Various Arc departments work together to identify children in in their programs who are in need; they then collect the childrens information and wish lists. Beginning in late November, Giving Tree tags are distributed to volunteering companies and individuals. Gifts are wrapped and delivered to parents before Christmas, allowing them to give their families a wonderful holiday experience.
Thank You
The Arc is truly grateful to be able to organize this effort for more than 20 years, and this year to provide more than 200 children with gifts. This wouldnt be possible without everyone who participates, says Lisa Miller, Executive Assistant. Thank you to everyone who helped put a smile on a childs face Christmas morning.
If your company, department, friends, or family would like to participate in the Giving Tree next year, please contact Lisa Miller at 314-817-2235.