Tribal Elders Program hosting Angel Tree endeavor

Observer Staff

11/12/2002 12:00:00 AM

The closing of another year brings community members closer together as they share in family festivities and goodwill.

Unfortunately not all families are in a position to provide gifts for their children during this holiday season.

The Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Elders Program at the Sowmick Senior Center is hosting an Angel Tree for underprivileged Native American children to ensure no child is forgotten.

To be eligible for the program, children must be Native American and be underprivileged. This includes children who do not receive per capita payments and those whose parents have no income or do not earn enough to support their household.

Those individuals wishing to adopt a child may select a stocking from the Angel Tree beginning Nov. 25 at the Sowmick Senior Center. The child's gender, age and gifts they wish for will be placed on each stocking.

Applications for recipients are available at Ngodewaangiziwin from Nov. 19 through Dec. 10 for children 15-years-old and younger. An exception will be made if a child is one to two years older and the family has absolutely no other resources to assist them in purchasing gifts.

Up to five items may be listed on the participant form. Two items may be toys or an alternative gift for older children who do not receive toys. These items may include gift certificates, CDs, movies, drawing or art items, board games or posters.

Other items may include those that the child is in need of most-clothing, shoes or boots, outerwear or underwear. Electronic devices such as Nintendos, computers, stereos and CD players will not be allowed as these items can be expensive for those purchasing them.

All gifts purchased for Angel Tree participants must be delivered to the Sowmick Senior Center by Dec. 13 so they may be picked up or delivered to the families by Dec. 20. For more information, contact Deb Morrow at (989) 775-4550.