Angel Tree/Giving Tree -- how to find?

[notsocreepylurker]

I am not affiliated with any churches in my area. Does anyone here pick names off of an Angel Tree/Giving Tree that isn't in a church? If so how did you find it?

I am looking to find one but Google is only showing churches and Salvation Army and I'd prefer not to use either of those if possible.

Thanks =)

[Deleted]

Have you played around on Charity Navigator?

I did an advanced search for Human Services / Children's and Family Services in Texas and came up with this list:

www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?keyword_list=&bay=search.results&EIN=&cgid=6&cuid=17&location=2&stid=52&city=&Submit=Submit

I bet some of these do angel programs. It looks like Child Advocates in Houston does (that was the first one I clicked into).

[Deleted]

The Salvation Army sponsors most of the trees in my area. I don't think I've ever seen one that wasn't associated with them.

[drloretta]

Ditto Salvation Army. Does your work do anything? you can also check places like shelters.

[catwithspots]

When I lived in Texas, Salvation Army was responsible for the program. They stationed at all of the major malls in the DFW metroplex. Maybe the same for Houston?

[ssmjlm]

I saw one at our local mall, no idea on who it was sponsored by though.

[hz80408]

Our office building has one, my favorite ice cream store does one. They're kind of randomly all over. I'd check with Salvation Army and/or your mall

[countthestars]

There is one at my mall as well

[notsocreepylurker]

Thanks everyone!

My work does not do one (if anyone started it here it'd be me).

V -- I will check out that link.

[WOT?*]

There are Angel Trees at many malls. Our local one is sponsored by the Rotary Club. There is also one at the dealership where we bought DH's car. The Salvation Army sponsors them. Volunteers of America has them. DSHS can direct you to organizations as well.

[mbcdefg]

My church (as well as churches I've attended in the past) has a giving tree, and they don't check to see if you're a member. You just take the paper ornament, purchase and wrap that gift, tape the ornament on top, and leave the gift under the church's tree.

So that's an option, unless you are opposed to donating to a church's drive. Maybe you could contact a local Elk's Club/VFW, a hospital or a nursing home, or a school to see if they are holding a drive.

[Deleted]

Nov 26, 2012 16:17:26 GMT -5 hz80408 said:

Our office building has one, my favorite ice cream store does one. They're kind of randomly all over.

yep, I found one through my hair salon.

they also do an annual event with a silent auction and donate all the proceeds to feeding america. :heart:

[Deleted]

A lot of retail like K-mart and Shop-Ko have them around here.

[egishere]

Also check women's shelters...a lot of them have programs where you can adopt a family.

[jewel]

The local county family services/child protective services usually have them. You can also google search for local children's charities or non-profits.

I also just heard on the news that the post offices save letters to Santa for a similar program. You should be able to stop in at any post office, read through some letters, and pick one you like.

[Deleted]

I would check with local shelters--they are almost always in need.

[hereonceagain]

Can I just say how much I appreciate those who give to child and family services. Since we were fosterparents, we get to see firsthand the effects of the giving/receiving. My two former fosterkids would get gifts dropped off for them during one of their social worker visits. These kids usually left home without all their belongings and have very little. And are always appreciative. This is where I donate most during holidays now.

[justkeepswimming]

Your local elementary school probably has a list/program.

[statlerwaldorf]

I always go through the Salvation Army. They partner with the local Job and Family services (welfare office). If someone calls 211, they refer them to the Salvation Army. While I don't agree with some of the policies of the Salvation Army, I still participate in the program because I feel that the children shouldn't be punished.

[sunshinedaydreams]

We adopted a family through a local domestic violence shelter last year. We've also gone through local children's hospitals in the past.

One of the things I don't like about the Angel Tree is that I'm never sure if I got all of the siblings/kids in a family and I don't want to go nuts on one child and have the others not get as much, or vise versa. I like adopting a family so that I can be sure everyone gets an equal amount of gifts.

[FrozenSunshine]

We usually adopt a family and an elder in our neighborhood through organizations. Being new to Chicago this year, we opted to donate to the Children's hospital until we figure out organizations and their needs.

I will also be donating goods to the assisted living home in FL that my grandma spent her last days at.

[phoenixrising]

Our township's community center has a Be a Santa for a Senior tree through one of the local home care agencies. My mom, my sister, and I got tags off of that. I found them heartbreaking because a lot of them asked for a card for CVS or Walmart or even just "any drug store," I am assuming to help them pay for medication. I am planning to get a generous gift card for the people I chose and then also add a couple of other things as well.

You could also just contact local homeless shelters or domestic violence organizations and ask them if they have families in need. I work for Bath and Body Works part-time, and we usually collect gifts for mom's and their children in a local women's shelter.

[CloudBee]

Call your local WIC office or department of human services. They often have lists vs. tree tags with family info.

[lys]

You do not have to agree with nor approve of the beliefs or policies of the organizations which are doing an Angle Tree. They are just the organization that is trying to help others have a good Christmas and do not benefit in any way from being a sponsor.
I would suck it up and go with whom ever is sponsoring.

Many businesses and work places also become sponsors.