Giving Tree Serves 1,000 Families

Hundreds of presents are collected in the gym.

An overhead view of bikes and some of the other presents.

Bikes are a popular gift choice.

Every Christmas, St. Charles decorates a Christmas with tags describing items to benefit needy families. Parishioners select tag(s) and return the requested gifts before Christmas. Here's a recap of the 2005 Giving Tree.

The 2005 Giving Tree supported more than 1,000 people, up from only 50 people several years ago. Recipients include individuals, ASPAN and Borromeo Housing. Our expanding program even received TV coverage from Channel 7 on ABC this year.

The Giving Tree was 100% supported by parishioners. Most of the requests are from the Latin American community, but we also support needy families in the African-American community. We even supported one Muslim family.

We have all faiths and all colors the only requirement is the family has to be in need. Some of the families are from our own parish. Some of the children and families are identified through Arlington Public Schools. Next year we plan on supported Katrina-impacted families who were located to our diocese. We also were able to purchase at least one item for each mom and child from Borromeo Housing.

Volunteers include Maria McAhron, who leads the program, plus Teresa Reyes, Beronica Salas, and Rina Ugas. They develop our lists and coordinate all aspects of shopping, receiving and delivering gifts. Other star volunteers are kids from Teresa Reyes's catechism classes: Gloria Romero, Stephanie Flores, Frank Duran, Mario Lopez, Christy Gonzalez, Katherine Jimenez, Daniela Estevez, and Michael Hernandez.

The front office/Parish Office staff also help with coordination and receiving of funds and gift certificates. With out their support, it would be impossible to sustain the growth of the Giving Tree.

We also extend thanks to Ryan Prince--who will be serving in Afghanistan in January--for being instrumental in getting our TV coverage and shopping for families; Linh Phung (she worked to the bone); Alan Tora, (who took the time to help as well as talk to the kids about doing well in school at what resources are available to them if they need any assistance); Christine Puffer, who took time from being a busy mom to help with sorting of gifts and made sure we had coffee at all times; Maria Vallejo and her children Leslie and Chris were great help.

We also thank Nelida and Marvin for being a great help at coordinating the movement and delivery off all the toys from under the Giving Tree to a secure area; and Ray for making sure we keep it all together and we have the proper facilities.

Next year we want the Giving Tree to be even bigger and better. We plan on soliciting corporate donations so we can make sure we don't turn anybody away.