Angel Tree project brings toys, joy and essentials to needy Azle children for Christmas
Angels, it is said, can appear in many forms. In Azle they appear in the form of Lions.
As in, the Azle Area Angel Tree Project, sponsored by the Azle Lions Club.
While the angel tree concept is not unique, having been in malls throughout America for years, this one is special because it allows citizens of Azle to serve children in their own community. The Lions Club, with the help of the counselors in the Azle school district, have been joining forces for the past decade.
The school counselors, nurses and Communities in Schools (CIS) social workers determine the eligibility of their students based on the their personal and family circumstances. Head Start children are already verified for eligibility. Younger siblings who are not in school yet are also allowed to be included on the applications.
“It’s clear that some of the families on the list are in desperate need because instead of toys as a wish list item for the baby or child, their families will list extra clothes or baby diapers and formula,” said Azle Library Director and Lions Club President Curren McLane, who heads up the annual project. “Our club works hard to make sure they are provided with these items and still get something fun, such as a toy.”
Once everything has been entered into the software, special cards with the angel number and information are printed and distributed to several tree locations around town.
“Over the years the community has gotten used to the angel trees being put up around the week of Thanksgiving and start adopting angels immediately,” she said.
To adopt an angel they visit an Angel Tree location, find an angel they want to shop for then sign for the card and take it with them. If a donor does not want to shop for items, they can also donate money to help the club purchase items for angels who are not adopted or do not receive enough items.
The Azle Memorial Library has been serving as the main tree and drop-off location since 2010. After donors shop for the items on their angel card, they return the items and the card to the library.
Lions Club members and volunteers process the angel items by checking the clothing for correct sizing, verifying the wish list items are appropriate and ensuring all angels are provided with a winter coat, shirt, pants, shoes, socks, underwear, and three wish list items (such as a toys, arts and crafts, books or other items).
Once all the items are processed for an angel, they are placed in large bags with the angel number on the outside. Then comes the fun part — angel pass out day, which was Saturday, Dec. 18.
“Pass out day is one of the favorite days of the year for Lions Club members because we get to see joy on the faces of families as they are provided with Christmas gifts for their children,” McLane said.
Santa even shows up to take photos and say hello to children.
McLane said the average number helped by the annual project is about 600.
“Azle has always had a very high percentage of children on the school free and reduced lunch program. Some area families had no way to provide Christmas gifts to their children, and some children would arrive at school in the winter months with clothing that wasn’t warm enough,” she said. “The club wanted to find a way to ensure deserving children received Christmas gifts and had warm clothing to wear.”